Panel: Current and Future Outlook on Varroa Mite Control
The parasitic mite, Varroa destructor, has held the title as the #1 contributor of honey bee health decline for years. Beekeepers struggle to manage Varroa mite levels in their colonies; some must apply treatment applications four times yearly to maintain healthy colonies. Elevated honey bee mortality rates drive the beekeeping industry and scientific community to find sustainable solutions to control Varroa mites. Here we present a panel discussion on the current and future outlook of Varroa mite control. Ellen Topitzhofer will moderate an industry- and science-based group of panelists: Todd Balsiger, Matt Hansen, Jan Lohman, and Dr. Ramesh Sagili. Topics include control strategies, amitraz resistance, Varroa resistant bee stock, and up-and-coming miticide treatments.
Todd Balsiger is a sideline beekeeper with around 165 hives. He literally got into beekeeping because his grandparents — past honorary OSBA members Lu and Anita Alexander. Todd’s primary vocation is in forestry, and he am a small woodland owner. He enjoys skiing, fishing, watching trees and bees grow, and to seeing the Portland Trailblazers win. His son Kenneth is a fifth senior at OSU majoring in civil engineering, and his wife Heide is a pharmacist at OHSU. Their dog rounds out the family.