Demystifying Mite Control Methods

The Varroa Mite Playbook

by Jonathan Adam Hargus

Book 3 in The Hive Doctor's Guide Series

About The Book

Varroa mites don’t win because they’re unstoppable.
They win because they’re misunderstood.
If Varroa management feels confusing, contradictory, or overwhelming, you’re not failing — you’re navigating a landscape filled with half-answers, outdated advice, and product-first thinking.
The Varroa Playbook was written to change that.
This book strips Varroa control down to what actually matters: biology, timing, brood cycles, and repeatable decision-making. It assumes mites are present, focuses on keeping pressure below collapse thresholds, and replaces endless counting with clear, seasonal strategy.
Inside, you’ll learn:
What Varroa really does inside a colony — and why collapse often starts long before symptoms appear
Why timing matters more than products
How brood status, season, and colony strength determine success or failure
When and how to use modern, non-synthetic treatment options with confidence
How to stop reacting — and start managing with intention
This is not a theory book. It’s not a product catalog. And it’s not written to win arguments.
It’s a practical field guide for beekeepers who want clarity, consistency, and colonies that survive — not by luck, but by design.
Get this, not that.
Choose clarity over confusion.

The Hive Doctor

Professional Beekeeper of over 25 years

I spent 15 years working alongside commercial beekeepers, where every decision had real consequences and reading the bees’ signals correctly wasn’t optional—it was essential. I didn’t start as a beginner myself, but I’ve seen firsthand the mistakes and confusion that hobbyists and intermediate beekeepers face in their first seasons. My goal is to give you the clarity and insight that took me years to develop. I distill complex, expert-level knowledge into practical guidance so you can focus on what truly matters, avoid unnecessary trial-and-error, and build healthy, thriving hives with confidence. Think of this as a shortcut to understanding your bees—learning what to observe, when to act, and how to enjoy the process without getting lost in the noise.

More Books by The Hive Doctor

Signal-Based Beekeeping/Volume I

Stop Managing Outcomes. Start Managing Signals.

by Jonathan Adam Hargus

Book 5 in The Hive Doctor's Guide Series

The Unmanaged Hive/Volume II

-Why Less Intervention, Applied Precisely, Produces Stronger Colonies-

by Jonathan Adam Hargus

Book 6 in The Hive Doctor's Guide Series

The Seasonal Roadmap to Keeping bees Anywhere

What to do & When to do it

by Jonathan Adam Hargus

Book 2 in The Hive Doctor's Guide Series

The Future-Proof Beekeeper

-Signal-based Beekeeping, Observation over Reaction

by Jonathan Adam Hargus

Book 4 in The Hive Doctor's Guide Series

Intuitive Beekeeping

The Path from Beginner to Master

by Jonathan Adam Hargus

Book 1 in The Hive Doctor's Guide Series