varroa mites in hive

[abates99]

This is my first year as a beekeeper and last week I noticed varroa mites on some bees.  I collected about a hundred or so bees in a jar and alchohled them.  I found 5 mites, I do not know if my problem is serious or not but winter is coming, my hive did very well this year and is good and strong but I dont want to lose my hive to the varroa over winter.  I would like to get by without chemicals to control the mites if I can, and I understand that the mites will never be gone for good but I want to do everything I can for my hive.  Any suggestions?

[pdmattox]

You can try a frame or two of drone comb and there is also the sugar shake (dowda method). both are chemical free.

[Michael Bush]

http://www.bushfarms.com/beespests.htm#varroa
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnaturalcell.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesvarroatreatments.htm