Varroa Extractor®

Varroa Extractor® is a professional device designed for the control and monitoring of Varroa destructor in bee colonies, intended for beekeepers who need to know more accurately the real level of infestation and make management decisions with greater confidence.

Unlike methods based solely on small bee samples, this system allows working with the entire colony , providing a more representative assessment of the problem. It is a very useful tool for checking varroa pressure before or after treatment and for evaluating whether the applied measures are working correctly.

The system works using a mechanical process . Bees are introduced into a rotating cylinder along with a specific, fine, carbohydrate-based powder that stimulates the bees' natural cleaning behavior. During rotation, the mites detach and fall into the inspection box, where they can be easily counted.

This system does not use chemical active ingredients during the process, thus helping to avoid residues in honey, wax, and other hive products . For this reason, it is especially interesting for professional beekeepers, organic farms, research centers, and apiaries seeking more sustainable methods within a comprehensive varroa control program.

The Varroa Extractor® provides immediate results at the end of the cycle. Beekeepers can observe the mites collected in the hive box, assess the level of infestation, and act quickly if the colony requires intervention. It also helps reduce reliance on repeated treatments and improves apiary health planning.

The unit is designed for direct use in the apiary. It includes transport wheels, a stabilizing support leg, a loading hopper, a rotating cylinder, an outlet area, a collection container, and an inspection box. Its 12V power supply allows for battery operation, facilitating work in locations without a nearby electrical outlet.

The complete work cycle lasts approximately 4 minutes and includes the dusting phase and the separation and collection of parasites. Once the process is finished, the bees can return to the hive, where they continue cleaning themselves naturally.

Main advantages for the beekeeper:

• It allows for a more accurate assessment of Varroa destructor infestation .
• It works on the entire colony, not just a small sample.
• It helps to verify the effectiveness of the treatments or strategies applied.
• It performs a mechanical separation of mites without adding chemical residues to the honey or wax.
• It reduces the risk of resistance, as it does not depend on a chemical active ingredient.
• It allows you to count mites directly in the inspection drawer.
• Suitable for conventional and organic beekeeping, research, and advanced health management.
• Mobile and practical equipment for direct use in the apiary.

Summary of usage instructions:

• Gradually introduce the bees from the colony into the rotating cylinder.
• Add the Varroa Extractor Powder™ at the recommended dosage.
• The cylinder rotates and distributes the powder evenly over the bees.
• Dust stimulates cleaning behavior and helps to loosen dust mites.
• The mites fall into the collection drawer for counting and evaluation.
• At the end of the cycle, the bees are returned to the hive.

Varroa Extractor Powder™ is the specific powder developed for this system. It is a fine, carbohydrate-based powder designed to evenly coat the bees, stimulate their hygienic behavior, and facilitate the mechanical removal of phoretic mites.

According to the manufacturer, when used at the correct dosage, it can help mechanically eliminate up to 90% of phoretic mites . It can also facilitate the detection of other bee parasites, such as Tropilaelaps spp. , in health surveillance and control programs.

This equipment should not be seen as a mere accessory, but as a support tool for more technical, controlled, and professional beekeeping . It allows for decisions to be made based on real data from the apiary, improves health monitoring, and enables action before varroa mites compromise the colony's strength.

Technical specifications:

• Brand: Lyson®.
• Lyson Reference: W30345.
• Product: Varroa Extractor®.
• Manufacturer: Bee Science Tools / Lyson.
• Application: control, monitoring and evaluation of Varroa destructor infestation.
• Type of operation: mechanical separation of mites using a rotating cylinder and specific powder.
• Recommended use: professional apiaries, organic beekeeping, research and health control of colonies.
• Power supply: 12 V.
• Battery: not included.
• Recommended working temperature: above 17 ºC.
• Approximate cycle duration: 4 minutes.
• Process stages: dusting, separation and collection of parasites.
• Mite collection: inspection drawer for visual counting.
• Mobility: equipment with transport wheels and stabilizing leg.
• Main components: loading hopper, rotating cylinder, collection container, outlet grid, and inspection drawer.
• Compatible powder: Varroa Extractor Powder™.
• Indicative dose of powder: 100–120 g per kg of bees.
• Powder composition: beetroot sucrose 90.5%, wheat starch 4%, maltodextrin 4%, maltitol 1% and citric acid 0.5%.
• Powder format: fine powder.
• Powder shelf life: 12 months from the date of manufacture.
• Notes: Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and current beekeeping health regulations.