Dr. Steve Pernal: Varroa Mite Research (343)

In this episode, Jeff and Becky speak with Dr. Steve Pernal, research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, about his team's recent work monitoring Varroa destructor populations and treatment efficacy across Canada. As varroa continues to be the leading driver of colony mortality, Steve and his colleagues are collecting long-term data on mite levels, reinfestation rates, and treatment performance across a wide range of beekeeping operations. Steve shares insights from national monitoring efforts, including surprising findings on how quickly mites can rebound after treatment and the complexities of interpreting mite counts in commercial yards. The conversation covers regional differences in resistance development, what's known (and unknown) about reinfestation, and why simply applying treatments may no longer be enough to manage mites sustainably. This episode offers a grounded, research-informed look at varroa management—what's working, where the gaps are, and what Canadian researchers are doing to equip beekeepers with better tools and knowledge. Whether you run a few hives or a thousand, you'll walk away with fresh insights on what to watch for in your own operation. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: Referenced BTP Episode with Dr. Erika Plettner: https://www.beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/dr-erika-plettner-using-chemoreceptor-confusion-against-varroa-s6-e43/ Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org The National Honey Board: https://honey.com Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com   Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC     ______________ Betterbee is the presenting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this episode!  Thanks to Bee Smart Designs as a sponsor of this podcast! Bee Smart Designs is the creator of innovative, modular and interchangeable hive systems made in the USA using recycled and American sourced materials. Bee Smart Designs - Simply better beekeeping for the modern beekeeper.   Thanks to Dalan who is dedicated to providing transformative animal health solutions to support a more sustainable future. Dalan's vaccination against American Foulbrood (AFB) is a game changer. Vaccinated queens protect newly hatched honeybee larvae against AFB using the new Dalan vaccine. Created for queen producers and other beekeepers wanting to produce AFB free queens.  Retailers offering vaccinated queens and packages:  https://dalan.com/order-vaccinated-queens/   More information on the vaccine: https://dalan.com/media-publications/ Thanks to Strong Microbials for their support of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Find out more about their line of probiotics in our Season 3, Episode 12 episode and from their website: https://www.strongmicrobials.com Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry. _______________ We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: [email protected] Thank you for listening!  Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Faraday by BeGun; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; Red Jack Blues by Daniel Hart; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott. Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC