Another chemical, formic acid has been used by beekeepers for Varroa mite control. A large number of essential oils have been tested for effectiveness as Varroa mite chemical controls. Careful experiments have not demonstrated their unquestioned effectiveness. Some properly applied essential oils may lead to reductions in mite numbers. There may be some alternatives to miticides.
Mites are delicate and susceptible to dehydration.
There is some research on dessicant materials that might hold promise for mite reduction in the future. There are a number of alternative control possibilities for reducing Varroa mites in bee colonies. There is good evidence to demonstrate that restricting queens for a time period that results in a break in the brood cycle can reduce mite population levels. Forty percent of mites falling to such boards are alive and capable of reacquiring an adult bee host if not held by a sticky surface. Use of a technique of heating the hive with hot air also has been described as effective in desiccating mites and reducing their numbers.