Honey bees, Humans and Varroa Mites

Possibly because of the honey bee’s almost 100 million years of evolution, they exist as one of the most fascinating and important species on the planet.  The biology of the honey bee enables them to physically produce everything they require to survive and reproduce and in the process support the ecology through pollination.  Honey bees have acquired traits from their Eusocial behavior that make them adaptable to survive almost anywhere on the planet.  This behavior might also facilitate the tolerance of interference by other animals.

Humans are another of those fascinating species that have the adaptability to survive anywhere on the planet.  Humans also were precocious enough to investigate honey bee colonies and realize the bounty of the hive. With time humans also recognized the pollination importance as well and made honey bees a ubiquitous species on the planet by learning how to ‘keep’ bees and ultimately transport bees across the globe.

The relationship between honey bees and humans inevitably brought Apis Mellifera into contact with Apis Cerano, the only other cavity nesting wax/honey producing species on the planet, and an unwanted encounter with Varroa Destructor.  If not for the negative consequences, we might consider this species to be another of the fascinating and ubiquitous on earth. In only decades the Varroa mite has spanned the globe and become an entrenched part of honey bee colonies both domestic and wild. As a parasite it is not the goal of Varroa to kill a disproportionate percentage of its new host, it is an inextricable consequence of the biological incompatibility of the two species. Sadly, the third party in this triad, man, is paying a high toll to try to influence this unwanted relationship.

Scientist, Beekeeper, Naturalist

I have been science and mathematics oriented since adolescence, and when exposed to chemistry experienced an almost innate understanding of basic principles. At the university level of course things became more difficult but still instinctive and the complexity of biochemistry was intriguing as technology helped to unlock its mystery. An undergraduate job opportunity drew me into industrial chemistry and chemical product development which I worked at successfully for 35 years.

25 years ago, moving to a more rural area besides gardening I decided to try beekeeping with the guidance of a friend and coworker in hopes of directly supplying my spouse and family with honey and beeswax that they were already using routinely. Boundless references were available for guidance in addition to the knowledge and opinions of those in the beekeeping community. Regardless, things were changing and success at maintaining colonies year to year was daunting. It seemed that most if not all of the suggestions and remedies for the various maladies that cropped up eventually faltered to one degree or another.

Over time I took a more natural approach to most of the challenges faced in beekeeping. A twofold mantra developed that as in all life, bees are going to die. Additionally, bees will always know how to be a bee better than any human will. Not to mean that I would not try to influence the survival of my colonies but I would interfere at a minimum and allow my colonies to resemble feral colonies.

Dream, Concept, Revelation

After deciding to leave corporate product development, I dreamed of the possibility of applying my research skills to honey bees and beekeeping. Dr Russell Vreeland enabled me to learn amazing research techniques for a few years in an USDA funded program to begin characterizing pollen and beebread microbiota partially fulfilling that dream. Managing the Varroa mite population in a hive continued to be a challenge that for the most part was not being met naturally or adequately so four years ago I started exploring the potential of a more benign Varroa treatment than the ‘organic’ options available. 

The concept is to expose Varroa mites to an organic miticide with minimal exposure or effect on the bees. Oxalic and Formic acid are considered the most effective organic miticides, but Oxalic acid was chosen for design purposes since it exists in a solid state compared to Formic acid. After a number of prototypes an experimental model was developed that could introduce a surface coated with Oxalic acid between brood frames that would force the bees into physical contact therefore exposing phoretic mites. A modest goal was set of observing an increase in mite drop and a measurable reduction in mite count. Success at this level would provide me with a personal treatment system that I could feel comfortable using over a broader timetable and eliminate other commercial options.

Initial late winter trials showed positive results. Over the course of that first season further design refinements and adjustments in dosages were performed and positive results continued. The product was working well enough that thoughts of sharing the product and even commercialization were entertained. My industrial research background made me painfully aware of the timing and cost of working through the FDA and EPA hurdles that it didn’t seem feasible to become the next Oxalic acid variant.

As a chemist, whenever a business challenge cropped up, thoughts shifted to whether there was a chemical cause and therefore chemical solution. Although there is no proven theory for how Oxalic and Formic acid control Varroa mite, there is an understanding of the chemical properties of these compounds. Because both exist as a vapor or can be sublimated into a vapor they were established for use as a short term indiscriminant treatment option. Now, with a delivery system that uses Oxalic acid as a solid were there other compounds that could exhibit positive effects in a similar application. The most likely substitutes turned out to be a group of common metabolic compounds! The two most similar to Oxalic acid were substituted in the same treatment system and showed similar results. It is possible to control Varroa mite using compounds that are listed and approved by international regulatory agencies as consumable by humans and animals. This revelation made the decision to licence and make a product commercially not only feasible but paramount. I look forward to discussing this discovery in more detail after a final decision is made on a patent application.

Natural, Sustainable, Inclusive

The final product is not only designed around a consumable natural metabolite but all of the ingredients used in the finished product are FDA approved for consumption or food contact and are either natural products or based on natural products. Greater than 95% of the product by weight are compounds or materials that are found in the beehive!

Sustainability is another aspect of the product that will be achieved.  Even if the finished product is all natural and the manufacturing and packaging results in large volumes of non biodegradable waste then it is arguable whether there is any benefit to using the product. Only truly recyclable and compostable material will be used for packaging.  Energy used in the manufacturing will either be sourced from renewable energy suppliers or be produced internally by renewable systems.  One of the main components used to install the treatment strip is reusable.

Creating an inclusive culture is also a primary goal of reaching commercial success.  First, we will be an employee owned company that will be managed so that all employees enjoy a livable income and benefit package while actively participating in the process of designing and making the best product possible.  Second, sales transactions will be handled directly instead of through large corporate distribution companies.  This will avoid middleman pricing markup so we can keep pricing as low as possible.  There will also be opportunity for beekeepers and beekeeping organizations to actively contribute materially into manufacturing of the finished product providing rebates and cost reduction.  Third, we will reach out to the general populace that are concerned about the environment and the plight of honey bees and our food supply.  Many people are looking for a way to help honey bees and beekeepers, if enough small contributions are received by non beekeepers those donations will be used to reduce cost even further.