Early Season Regional Trends in Varroa Mite Populations

The Atlantic Tech Transfer Team for Apiculture is continuing with a third year of a regional Varroa mite survey. This survey aims to determine seasonal trends in Varroa mite levels across the region, and help assess the efficacy of mite management options. This week’s blog will explore early season trends in Varroa mite populations across the Maritime region, and discuss how this year’s mite levels compare to 2024 and 2025.

Early Season Regional Trends in Varroa Mite Populations

For the third season, ATTTA is conducting a regional Varroa mite survey to assess temporal trends in mite levels and to assess the efficacy of amitraz (active ingredient in Apivar®). This year, the survey consists of 17 beekeepers (8 in Nova Scotia, 6 in New Brunswick, and 3 on Prince Edward Island). Many of these beekeepers have participated in the last three years of data collection. For trial one, which took place around the time of wild blueberry pollination (May 13, 2026 – June 16, 2026), there was a total of 55 samples/colonies included.

Overall, the average mite load for trial one was 0.07%, 87% of colonies had 0% mite load, and 2% of colonies had a mite load greater than 1% (Figure 1; Figure 2). The average number of bees per sample for trial one was 313, with a target sample size of 300. In comparison, in 2025, the average mite load for trial one was 0.02% and in 2024 the average mite load was 0.09% (Figure 2)¹. A reminder to beekeepers that it is recommended to maintain mite levels below 1% throughout the beekeeping season.

Figure 1. Comparison of average Varroa mite loads in the Maritime region between 2024, 2025 and 2026 during the early beekeeping season.

Figure 2. Comparison of Varroa mite loads in the Maritime region between 2024, 2025 and 2026 during the early beekeeping season.

When comparing early season levels of mites in 2026 to previous years, a higher percentage of samples had detectable mite levels (at least one mite per sample), however, the number of samples with mite levels above 1% was in-between what was found in 2024 and 2025 (Figure 2)¹. This final season of data collection will help provide a solid baseline of the trends in mite levels across the beekeeping season.

As the ATTTA team continues to collect Varroa mites throughout the survey, the goal will be to conduct lab-based testing to assess the efficacy of amitraz within the Maritime region. Beekeepers must remain vigilant regarding the efficacy of Apivar® as this is the only recommended synthetic miticide available, and reduced efficacy is being reported across the globe.

Recently published research found that colonies managed in Auburn, Alabama, US that were treated with Apivar® late season had maintained Varroa mite levels over a 63-day period, whereas colonies not treated with any products showed significantly increased mite levels². The study demonstrated that within the research colonies, Varroa mites still have a level of susceptibility to amitraz which can effectively prevent mite levels from quickly increasing during the late season. However, the research also found that the amitraz resistance genotype (Y215H mutation) significantly increased from Day 0 to Day 63 after the application of Apivar, which further demonstrates that Apivar application selects for individuals with the amitraz resistant genotype thereby increasing resistance levels in a population of mites. 

Overall, early season trends in Varroa mite populations across the Maritime region are low and well managed based on the amount of samples processed. However, beekeepers must remain vigilant when monitoring for mites, and practice integrated pest management in all aspects of their mite management. For questions regarding mite management and treatment please reach out to the ATTTA team. We would like to thank all beekeepers who participated in trial one of our survey. We will be reporting on trial two of our survey in the near future, as trial two will be concluding shortly.

References

1. Atlantic Tech Transfer Team for Apiculture. 2025. Maritime regional survey on the prevalence of Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) in western honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies, and the efficacy of amitraz for treatment. https://www.perennia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Varroa-mites-REPORT-2025.pdf
2. Tokach, R., Rinkevich, F., Aurell, D., Egnew, N., Cargo, K. and Williams, G.R., 2026. Evaluation of late-season Varroa destructor treatments and their impact on amitraz resistant mite populations. Scientific Reports.

Connecting with ATTTA Specialists

If you’d like to connect with ATTTA specialists or learn more about our program, you can:

visit our website at https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/honey-bees/

Email attta@perennia.ca

This past weekend, the Atlantic Tech Transfer Team for Apiculture attended the 2026 Atlantic Bee Tour, hosted by the Prince Edward Island Beekeepers Association in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. With 50 attendees, the event brought together beekeepers, industry members and researchers from across the region. As in previous years, the Atlantic Bee Tour served as an important opportunity for beekeepers to network, learn, and share knowledge. This event included industry updates, hands-on demonstrations and visits to local businesses, all showing the essential role of honey bees in the Atlantic region.

Review of the Atlantic Bee Tour 2026

The first day of the tour consisted of presentations and educational learning about current challenges, industry updates and important information to help other beekeepers. Stephen Farmer, a local beekeeper from PEI and executive member of the PEIBA board, started off the event with an introduction and to say thank you to everyone involved. Cameron Menzies, PEI Provincial Apiarist, opened the morning with an update on the state of beekeeping in the province. He noted that PEI is home to roughly 5,000 commercial hives, used for honey production, pollination, or both, and that the province continues to face significant overwintering challenges. The 2025-2026 winter losses were driven primarily by weak colonies going into fall, harsh weather conditions, poor queens, and starvation. Despite these setbacks, Cameron shared encouraging results from the 2025 summer inspections, which showed low Varroa mite levels, no small hive beetle, and only low levels of European foulbrood. He also emphasized the importance of wild blueberry pollination in PEI, which relies on a 1:1 ratio of local hives to imported hives, showing how important local pollinators are for growers across the province.

Figure 1: Cameron Menzies Presenting (ATTTA ©, 2026)

Following Cameron’s update, attendees heard from Lauren Park of the Canadian Honey Council, who provided a national perspective on current industry priorities. She outlined topics the council focuses on, like miticide registration, pollination issues, and national policy discussions. Lauren also addressed concerns surrounding honey adulteration and importation issues. Lauren also highlighted upcoming industry events, including the 2027 Pollination Symposium in Quebec.

Figure 2: Lauren Park Receiving a gift on behalf of the PEIBA (ATTTA ©, 2026)

The Atlantic Tech Transfer Team for Apiculture shared updates on disease monitoring and research, including Varroa mite surveys, amitraz efficacy testing, and ongoing work related to emerging pathogens such as Vairimorpha (formerly Nosema) and Lotmaria passim. These updates offered attendees a clear picture of the scientific work underway to support evidence‑based management practices throughout the region.

Jeff Lee from Honey Bee Zen Apiaries discussed his own operation in British Columbia, sharing his knowledge of different forages and cover crops to improve forage density and pollinator pathways; this approach is used to strengthen both honey bee and wild pollinator health. Amanda Goodman Lee shared an engaging session on honey marketing, explaining why local honey remains a strong competitor in the market and how producers can communicate value to customers. Also, Jeff and Amanda both talked about tricks they have learned from their beekeeping experience.

The afternoon sessions shifted toward practical demonstrations and applied learning. Karen Thurlow led a microscopy display, showing participants how to prepare slides, identifying Vairimorph, and showed different types of pollen found in colonies. She also shared practical tips from her own operation, offering guidance on efficient equipment use and management strategies. The first day was filled with a balance of scientific and practical learning, providing attendees with lots of informational knowledge.

Figure 3: Fireweed Pollen Under a Microscope (ATTTA ©, 2026)

The second day of the Atlantic Bee Tour brought participants on a bus, showing diverse beekeeping and honey-related companies in PEI. The morning began at Ella’s Forest, where attendees toured the facility and learned about the dried wild blueberry products made. Then followed an in-hive demonstration for determining hygienic behaviour. From there, the group travelled to Red Island Cider for a behind-the-scenes tour of their production facility. The cidery even created a special honey-infused cider for the Bee Tour!

Figure 4: Products from Ella’s Forest (ATTTA ©, 2026)

Figure 5: In-Hive Demonstration of UBeeO® by Stephen Farmer (ATTTA ©, 2026)

After lunch at Founder’s Hall, the tour continued to Island Honey Wine Co. where participants sampled a variety of meads, learned about the business and had a chance to tour the area. This trip showed the diversity of how honey and in-hive products can be transformed into innovative products! The final destination of the tour was at a local beekeeper’s operation, Jason and Monica Campbell. Then the tour ended at New Glasgow for a delicious lobster supper!

Figure 6: Photos from the Island Honey Wine Co. (ATTTA ©, 2026)

The Atlantic Bee Tour was a great event for beekeepers across the region, offering valuable opportunities for learning and meeting members of the industry. The ATTTA team extends sincere thanks to the PEI Beekeeper’s Association for hosting this amazing event. We will look forward to the next Atlantic Bee Tour in 2028.

 Written by Kaitlyn Newton, ATTTA Seasonal Apiculturist

Connecting with ATTTA Specialists

If you’d like to connect with ATTTA specialists or learn more about our program, you can:

visit our website at https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/honey-bees/

Email attta@perennia.ca