first varroa

[steve40k]

I'm a first year bee keeper and have detected my first varroa mites. I have three hives but have detected them in only one. What should my next move be?

[Dave W]

>What should my next move be?

I'd look more closely in the other two hives. I'll Bet they are there, too.

[BjornBee]

How many and how did you detect them?

You should sit down and go over your IPM plan at this time. What does it say based on your philosophy, goals, and personal thoughts on this matter? Then decide what you should do.

[Jeffzhear]

Steve,

Detecting Varroa is not something anyone likes. But it's not necessarily a problem at this point. I would suggest that you determine what the mite count in your hive(s) are and then determine what your next course of action will be. You may decide that with only a few mites in your hive you leave them alone. You may find a very high mite count and then you may have to look for a way to treat. I would do searches here and read as much as you can about Varroa and as Beorn suggests, put an integrated pest management program in place. Good luck.