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Varroa destructor
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===Mechanical control=== Varroa mites can also be controlled through nonchemical means. Most of these controls are intended to reduce the mite population to a manageable level, not to eliminate the mites completely.<ref name="Jack2021">{{cite journal |last1=Jack |first1=Cameron J |last2=Ellis |first2=James D |title=Integrated Pest Management Control of Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae), the Most Damaging Pest of ( Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)) Colonies |journal=Journal of Insect Science |date=1 September 2021 |volume=21 |issue=5 |page=6 |doi=10.1093/jisesa/ieab058|pmid=34536080 |pmc=8449538 }}</ref> Screened bottom boards are used both for monitoring and can modestly reduce mite populations by 11{{endash}}14%. Mites which fall from the comb or bees can land outside the hive instead landing on a solid bottom board that would allow them to easily return to the nest.<ref name="Jack2021"/> Varroa infest drone cells at a higher rate than worker brood cells, so drone cells can be used as a trap for mite removal. Beekeepers can also introduce a frame with drone foundation cells that encourage bees to construct more drone cells. When the drone cells are capped, the frame can be removed to freeze out mites. This labor-intensive process can reduce mite levels by about 50{{endash}}93%, but if trap cells are not removed early enough before mites emerge, mite populations can spike. This method is only viable in spring and early summer when drones are produced.<ref name="Jack2021"/> Heat is also sometimes used as a control method. The mites cannot survive temperatures near {{cvt|40|Β°C|Β°F}}, but brief exposure to these temperatures do not harm honey bees. Devices are marketed intended to heat brood to these temperatures, though the efficacy of many of these products has not been reviewed.<ref name="Jack2021"/><ref name="reuters">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-czech-bees-idUSKBN0OD20S20150528|title=Czech teacher battles bee-killing disease with hot hive|date=28 May 2017|newspaper=Reuters}}</ref> Powdered sugar used for estimating mite counts in hives has also been considered for mite management as it or other inert dusts were believed to initiate grooming responses. Long-term studies do not show any efficacy for reducing mite populations.<ref name="Jack2021"/>
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