Ants eating dead varroa

[NeilV]

I have two hives where I am trying out Apiguard (thymol) at my house. I have periodically checked the inserts on the screened bottom boards and did not see many dead mites. I do not, however, have any oil on the inserts.

I did notice that I have some of the tiny ants running around on there. I also noticed an ant had picked up one of the few varroa mites I had seen and was taking it home for dinner.

Then I got to watching this more carefully. Turns out the ants are hunting for the varroa as the fall off and carrying them all off. They seem to be leaving everything else there.

My measurements of dead varroa without any Pam or Crisco on the board are useless, but I have learned that ants like to eat dead varroa mites. If you are doing a mite drop count without anything on the board and don't see many varroa, try looking for ants.

[Hambone]

Are these like a real light colored ant but not fire ants? I have plywood under my SBB's so the grass won't grow up through the hive and I see these ants eating a dead bee here and there and I seem them gatherd aound other little dead things. Could be varroa, never got down and looked close enough, but I will.

[Robert Brenchley]

I haven't seen ants removing varroa, but there are always a few on my trays, and dead varroa are undoubtedly removed. Ants have to be the prime suspect.