Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uses plastic drone comb, with larger cells, to promote the laying of drone pupae. Varroa Mites are more likely to lay their eggs within drone cells to optimize their chance of survival. Using this knowledge, bee keepers are using IPM's to reduce Varroa Mite populations without using medications or pesticides. By removing and freezing or cleaning out the plastic drone comb, beekeepers are greatly reducing Varroa Mite numbers within their colonies. The following papers will better explain the logic behind and proper use of drone comb as an IPM.