Practical Guide: 1.6.3 Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia is a biotechnical method for reducing Varroa infestation in which brood is deliberately heated to kill mites. It exploits the differing temperature sensitivity of honey bee brood and Varroa mites. The following notes are based on the official Practical Guide 1.6.3 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.

Official Practical Guide – Summary

Practical Guide: 1.6.3 Hyperthermia

• Basic principle: In hyperthermia, capped brood is exposed for a defined period to an elevated temperature that damages Varroa mites but not the brood.
• Objective:
  • Reduction of Varroa infestation in the brood.
  • Complementing other measures within an overall management concept.
• Requirements:
  • Use of suitable devices in accordance with the Practical Guide.
  • Precise adherence to temperature and treatment duration.
  • Careful handling to avoid damage to the brood.
• Classification:
  • Hyperthermia is a supportive measure and does not replace a main treatment.
• Note:
  • Deviations from the specified parameters may result in brood losses.

► PDF of the official Practical Guide (DE)

► Official Practical Guide overview (bienen.ch)
Note: Chapter 1.6.3 “Hyperthermia”.

Summary based on Practical Guide 1.6.3. Last review: 01/2026.

Learn more:

• Practical Guide 1.1: Varroa concept
• Practical Guide 1.6.1 Brood interruption
• Practical Guide 1.6.4 Total brood removal with brood utilization
• Practical Guide 1.2 Overview of summer treatment methods