*Review* **Diagnosis of Varroa Mite (***Varroa destructor***) and Sustainable Control in Honey Bee (***Apis mellifera***) Colonies—A Review**

#### **Aleš Gregorc 1,\* and Blair Sampson 2**


Received: 15 November 2019; Accepted: 12 December 2019; Published: 16 December 2019

**Abstract:** Determining varroa mite infestation levels in honey bee colonies and the proper method and time to perform a diagnosis are important for efficient mite control. Performing a powdered sugar shake or counting mites that drop from combs and bees onto a hive bottom board are two reliable methods for sampling varroa mite to evaluate the efficacy of an acaricide treatment. This overview summarizes studies that examine the efficacy of organic acids and essential oils, mite monitoring, and brood interruption for integrated varroa mite control in organic beekeeping.

**Keywords:** varroa mite detection; diagnosis; infestation; mortality; control; organic treatment
