New to beekeeping? Start here. If you searched for “mites in my beehive,” “tiny bugs on my bees,” or “beehive mite information,” this guide explains what to look for, how to check your colony, and where to find treatment guidance.
What are the little brown bugs on my honey bees?
Small, flattened, reddish-brown parasites attached to honey bees may be Varroa destructor, commonly called Varroa mites or bee mites. Adult females are wider than they are long and can look like tiny oval shields. They parasitize adult bees and reproduce inside capped brood cells, where young bees develop.
Not every bug in a beehive is a Varroa mite. Beetles, wax moth larvae and other hive visitors need different identification and management. A clear close-up photograph can help; ask an experienced beekeeper or local bee inspector if you are unsure.
Learn about Varroa mites, their life cycle and colony damage.
How do I know if my bees have mites?
Looking at bees is not enough to measure an infestation. Mites can be hidden beneath abdominal segments or inside capped brood. A colony can look healthy while its mite population grows.
A standardized alcohol wash samples adult worker bees and counts the mites removed. About 300 bees are commonly used. The wash kills the sampled bees, so protect the queen and make certain she is not in the sample. Powdered sugar rolls are another sampling option, but technique and conditions affect recovery. Sticky boards can help track mite fall; their counts are not directly interchangeable with a wash percentage.
How to check your hive for mites: alcohol wash guide · Mite counts, sampling and treatment thresholds.
What does a bee mite count mean?
For an adult-bee wash, infestation percentage means mites counted per 100 sampled bees. For example, 6 mites from 300 bees is 2%. This is a measurement of the adult-bee sample, not a count of every mite in the colony. It does not include mites still inside capped brood.
Action thresholds depend on season, location and colony conditions. Use current regional guidance and record counts before and after treatment rather than waiting for visible damage.
Why do my bees have deformed wings?
Crumpled or shortened wings can be a sign of deformed wing virus, which Varroa mites transmit. Bees crawling outside the hive or struggling to fly warrant investigation. Wing damage alone does not measure the mite level; test the colony and consider other causes with help from an inspector.
Understand bee viruses and the mite–virus connection.
Why are my honey bees dying?
Varroa and associated viruses are important possibilities, but dead bees do not automatically mean mites. Starvation, queen problems, pesticides, brood diseases and other stresses can also cause losses. Check food stores, colony history, brood appearance and recent mite counts. Photograph unusual signs and contact your local extension service or bee inspector when the cause is unclear.
How do I get rid of mites in my beehive?
Start with a mite count, then choose a control suited to the colony, weather, brood status and honey supers. Options include locally authorized mite treatments and management practices such as planned brood breaks and resistant bee stock. Recheck afterward: applying a treatment does not prove it worked, and mites can return through bee movement between colonies.
Follow the exact product label for dose, temperature limits, honey-super restrictions, protective equipment and timing. Do not use household insecticides or improvise chemical doses. Heat treatments also require evidence and precise control; warming a hive is not a substitute for a validated treatment protocol.
Compare bee mite treatment options · How to tell whether your mite treatment worked.
Are bee mites harmful to humans?
Varroa mites are parasites of honey bees; they do not establish infestations on people. Finding them calls for attention to colony health. Treatment chemicals can present separate hazards, so follow their handling instructions.
Keep learning
Browse our visual beekeeping information sheets for more detailed explanations, research and downloadable guides.
Sources and further reading
- University of Florida IFAS: How to Quantify Varroa destructor in Honey Bee Colonies
- Penn State Extension: Methods to Control Varroa Mites
- Penn State Extension: Viruses in Honey Bees
- Honey Bee Health Coalition: Hive Management Resources
Published October 18, 2026. Educational information from VarroaDestructor.com.