Varroa destructor mites are the most significant threat to managed honeybee colonies worldwide, and integrated pest management provides the most welfare-positive control approach.
Varroa infestation causes chronic suffering in affected bee colonies. Developing bees emerge with deformed wings missing legs and shortened lifespans from the feeding damage and viruses transmitted by mites. Untreated infestation leads to slow colony decline and eventual collapse. Responsible beekeeping requires monitoring for varroa and treating before populations reach damaging levels. The welfare of tens of thousands of individual bees in a colony depends on mite management.