Our speaker will be Dr. Dewey Caron, Emeritus Professor of Entomology & Wildlife Ecology, Univ of Delaware. The topic will be What’s Your Varroa Mite Control Strategy?

Varroa mites are one of the 3 major challenges to successfully keeping honey bees. Keeping ahead of their population increase with stock and early season (April/May) control of reproduction phase plus late season control of dispersal phase mites on adult honey bees to allow colonies to produce enough winter bees requires a season-long plan. There is no silver bullet to control. Modifying an IPM (integrated Pest Management) plan can help insure success. What is your plan? How is it working? A look at ways successful beekeepers are dealing with Varroa.

Dr Caron was Professor and Department Chairman at the Univ of Delaware, Newark 1981-2009. His research focused on Pollination ecology (biology & applications), honeybee pests, predators and diseases, and biology of queen replacement (swarming in honey bees). With retirement from Univ of Delaware in 2009 he moved to Portland, OR to be closer to grandkids. In retirement he remain active in bee education and membership to numerous bee clubs including the ACBA. Dr. Caron is principal drafter of TOOLS FOR VARROA MANAGEMENT: A GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE VARROA SAMPLING & CONTROL, the bible for Varroa treatment, last revised in 2022.