1.4.1 Removal of drone brood

By repeatedly removing drone brood (on average three times), varroa infestation can be reduced by about half. This simple method makes it possible, without adding any products, to reduce the number of varroa mites in the hive without any impact on colony development or honey harvest.

 
Often, during the first removal, there are very few varroa mites present. Even if only 1 cell out of 50 is infested with a varroa mite, this already corresponds to a total of 50 varroa mites eliminated by cutting out a Bürki frame. It should be noted that 50 varroa mites in April can result in more than 400 by July.

General description:

Depending on the hive system, full drone frames, half frames or compartmented frames can be used. The capped drone brood is cut out two to three times and immediately melted down in a steam or solar wax melter. If this is not possible, the frames must be stored frozen until they can be melted.

Reduction of the varroa population:

Repeated removal of drone brood can reduce varroa infestation by up to 50%. This measure makes it possible to decrease the number of varroa mites in the hive without affecting colony development or honey harvest.
Often, during the first removal, there are very few varroa mites present. Nevertheless, cutting out these larvae remains very important. Even if only 1 cell out of 50 is infested by a varroa mite, cutting out a half drone frame already eliminates a total of 50 varroa mites. If this is not done, those 50 varroa mites (in April) will exceed 400 by July.
 

Key points:

As soon as colonies begin to develop and the wild cherry blossoms, the drone frame should be inserted near the brood nest. The frame is removed as soon as it is largely capped. Cutting out drone brood primarily serves to reduce the number of mites, but it also helps monitor swarming tendencies and allows the production of uncontaminated wax.

► watch the corresponding video, recorded with a mobile phone

► Download Apiservice factsheet

► Download the article: From test frame to drone frame