How it works
Help & answers
Frequently asked questions.
Everything about how the Varroa Controller works and how to use it — in two parts.
A
About hyperthermia
How heat treats the colony.
The science behind the method — what the heat does, why bees and brood come through it, and what it leaves behind.
How does heat actually kill the Varroa mite?
The mite is far less heat-tolerant than the bee. Hold the brood chamber at a certain temperature for about two
hours and every Varroa life-stage dies — adult mites and the young inside the cells alike. The bees, their brood and the honey are unharmed.
hours and every Varroa life-stage dies — adult mites and the young inside the cells alike. The bees, their brood and the honey are unharmed.
Why is heat treatment safe for the brood?
It's a narrow, deliberate window. Bees already keep their brood nest near 35°C and tolerate brief warmth well above it; the mite cannot. At a certain temperature it is hot enough to be lethal to Varroa, low enough to leave bees, brood and comb intact. The controller holds that temperature evenly so no part of the chamber overheats.
Does it kill mites inside capped brood cells?
Yes — and that is the point. Most mites hide and reproduce inside sealed brood cells, out of reach of contact treatments. Even, controlled heat reaches through the cell cap and kills the reproducing mites where they breed, not just the few riding on adult bees.
How effective is a single treatment?
One full cycle typically clears well over 90% of the mite population in a colony, because it reaches the brood as well as the adult bees. Most beekeepers pair it with a mite count before and after so they can see the drop for themselves.
Can mites build resistance to heat, like they do to chemicals?
No. Resistance builds against chemical compounds the mite can adapt to over generations. Heat is physical — there is nothing to develop resistance to. The method works the same way in its fifteenth season as in its first.
Is there any residue in the honey or wax?
None. No acids, no strips, no chemicals enter the hive — so nothing is left in the honey, the wax or the comb. Your honey stays clean and saleable, and you can treat without pulling supers on a chemical schedule.
B
Working with the Varroa Controller
Using it in your apiary.
The practical side — running a cycle, timing, power, upkeep, the models, and whether to rent or buy.
How do I actually run a treatment?
Lift the frames into the controller's chamber, close it, and start the cycle. The unit brings the chamber to a certrain temperature and holds it for about four hours, regulating the temperature throughout. You return the frames to the hive when it finishes — no acids to mix, no waiting days for fumes to clear.
Do I take the frames out of the hive?
Yes — the brood frames go into the controller's treatment chamber for the cycle, then straight back to the colony. The chamber is sized for a full brood chamber's worth of frames so a colony is treated in one pass.
When in the season should I treat?
The key windows are after the summer harvest and, for many beekeepers, a brood-right check in late winter. Timing matters more than frequency — so we keep it on one page rather than buried here.
See the annual treatment plan
Does it need mains power or a generator?
It runs from a standard mains socket at the apiary. For out-yards with no power, a portable generator covers a treatment day comfortably — the unit's draw is modest and steady once it reaches temperature.
How do I clean and maintain it?
Very little. Wipe down the chamber between colonies and keep the vents clear. There are no consumables, no acid handling and no parts to replace season to season — it's built to work for years with basic care.
What's the difference between the models?
The range runs roughly €2,598–€2,994, differing mainly in chamber capacity and how many colonies you can move through in a day. Smaller apiaries are well served by the base unit; sideliners and pros lean to the larger capacity.
Compare models & pricing
Should I rent or buy?
If you run a handful of colonies, renting a unit nearby for your treatment days is often the sensible start. From a couple of dozen hives upward, owning one usually pays off across the season. Beekeepers across Europe list their units for rent.
Find a rental point near you
Didn't find your answer?
Ask a person who keeps bees.
We reply personally — usually within one working day.
What's inside
Everything you need to treat correctly - nothing you don't.
- Device setup & calibration. Get your device holding the correct operating temperature every time, with the probe in the right place.
- Step-by-step treatment walkthrough. Start to finish, frame by frame, exactly as it's done in the field.
- Troubleshooting common mistakes. Common first-season mistakes — and how to spot them before they cost you a colony.
- Safety & PPE-free confirmation. Why chemical-free treatment means no gloves, no mask and no residues.
- Seasonal application notes. When to run each treatment across the year.
Get the handbook — instant PDF"
Questions
Before you download.
Is it really free?
Yes. The handbook is a free PDF - no purchase, no card, just your email address.
What format is the handbook?
A print-ready PDF you can read on any device or keep printed at the hive.
Will I get sales emails?
You'll get the handbook and the occasional seasonal treatment note. Nothing more.
Can I unsubscribe?
Anytime, in one click. The handbook is yours to keep either way.