The Varroa mite is the most serious pest of beehives worldwide.  In recent years, both hobby and commercial beekeepers have sustained significant hive losses in Powell County due to mite infestation.  The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service recommends an integrated pest management strategy for the control of the varroa mite.  Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices.   

The Powell County Cooperative Extension office partnered with the Powell/Clark Beekeepers Association to demonstrate a key component of controlling mites.  Effective IPM relies on accurately knowing how many pests are present and a threshold of mites where damage occurs.  Beehives were transported to the extension office parking lot.   Attendees got to participate in a hands-on demonstration of the most common mite monitoring process an alcohol wash.   Twenty-four beginner and intermediate beekeepers attended the demonstration.  Surveys concluded that twenty one attendees planned to implement the practice in their bee yards.