Since its discovery in England in 1992 the parasitic mite, Varroa destructor, has spread to infest colonies of honey bees throughout the UK. Its management has now become a routine and essential part of bee husbandry. The development of strains of mite resistant to treatments used against them poses new challenges to beekeepers. This leaflet describes the biology of the mite, how it can be recognised and monitored, the latest approaches beekeepers can use to control the infestation in their hives, and a look ahead to the future.
