Demystifying Mite Control Methods
by Jonathan Adam Hargus
The Varroa Mite Playbook cuts through confusion and fear surrounding varroa mites. This practical guide explains why mite control works, when to apply it, and how to choose the right strategy—without dogma, hype, or guesswork.
Varroa mites are the single greatest threat to modern honey bee colonies—yet mite control remains one of the most misunderstood and emotionally charged topics in beekeeping.
The Varroa Mite Playbook breaks down mite management into clear, logical systems any beekeeper can understand and apply. Rather than promoting a single “best” treatment, this book explains the mechanics behind each method—organic acids, synthetic treatments, brood interruption, cultural controls, and integrated pest management—so you can make informed decisions based on your colony’s condition, season, and goals.
Designed as a practical reference and decision-making guide, this playbook helps you:
Understand how and why varroa populations grow
Evaluate mite pressure accurately
Choose control methods with intention, not fear
Avoid common mistakes that weaken colonies long-term
Build a sustainable, adaptable mite management strategy
Whether you’re a first-year beekeeper or a seasoned apiary manager, this book replaces confusion with clarity and turns mite control from a guessing game into a repeatable, confident process.
25+ years as a professional beekeeper, guiding hives and beekeepers alike
If you’ve ever stood over an open hive wondering whether you’re helping or quietly making things worse, I understand that feeling. I’ve seen it happen countless times—not because people don’t care, but because the signals aren’t obvious when you’re new. I spent 15 years apprenticing alongside commercial beekeepers, where every choice had real consequences and reading the bees’ signals correctly wasn’t optional. In 2017, I went out on my own—and along the way, I’ve helped hobbyists and intermediate beekeepers make sense of their first seasons without the trial-and-error I once faced. This bookstore is the shortcut I wish I had. Every recommendation comes from years of hands-on experience, so you can focus on what matters, skip the noise, and build healthy, thriving hives with confidence. Think of it as a guide to learning your bees—and enjoying the process—without getting lost.
The Four Behavior Shifts That Change Your Entire Season
by Jonathan Adam Hargus
The Butterfly Effect of Beekeeping reveals how a few small behavioral shifts can dramatically alter an entire beekeeping season. By focusing on four high-impact changes, this book helps beekeepers create better outcomes with less effort and stress.
Stop Managing Outcomes. Start Managing Signals.
by Jonathan Adam Hargus
Signal-Based Beekeeping reframes hive management around interpretation rather than control. By learning to read colony signals instead of forcing outcomes, beekeepers make clearer decisions, reduce intervention, and build more resilient hives.
Why Less Intervention, Applied Precisely, Produces Stronger Colonies
by Jonathan Adam Hargus
The Unmanaged Hive challenges the assumption that more intervention creates healthier colonies. By applying fewer actions with greater precision, beekeepers can reduce stress, strengthen natural systems, and support more resilient bees.
The Past, Present, and Future of Beekeeping
by Jonathan Adam Hargus
The Future‑Proof Beekeeper explores where beekeeping has come from, where it stands today, and what it must become to remain viable. This book equips beekeepers to adapt, think critically, and build resilient practices in a rapidly changing world.
Colony Tracing: Progression Mapping Colony Direction
Learn to read your colonies like a map. This book shows how to track their signals, measure progression, and understand the direction they’re heading—so your decisions are guided by insight, not guesswork.
Book 2 in The Hive Doctor's Guide Series
Book 1 in The Hive Doctor's Guide Series