Varroa MITE control using sacrificial drone combs in drawer cabinet

Abstract

A hive arrangement for varroa mite control comprises a brood box and a base, with a drawer cabinet stacked therebetween. The cabinet defines a side opening housing a removable drawer that includes a vertically open frame defining a vertical entrance passageway through which bees pass during hive ingress and egress. One or more strips of artificial drone comb are mounted within the frame and positioned to intercept varroa mites prior to their entry into the brood box. The drawer is accessible from outside the hive, allowing for non-intrusive replacement or cleaning. The system may include pheromone-treated combs to enhance mite attraction and support passive, chemical-free management of infestation levels.

Description

VARROA MITE CONTROL USING SACRIFICIAL DRONE COMBS IN DRAWER CABINETField of the Invention

[0001] The disclosure relates generally to apiculture and hive management systems. More particularly, it concerns structural and biological methods for reducing varroa mite infestations in honey bee colonies through the integration of interceptive comb modules positioned in the hive entrance pathway.Background of the Invention

[0002] Varroa destructor is a parasitic mite that infests honey bee colonies and is widely regarded as the leading contributor to colony collapse worldwide. The mite attaches itself to adult bees and developing brood, feeding on their fat body tissue and haemolymph. This parasitic activity weakens the bees’ immune response and makes them more susceptible to viral pathogens, often resulting in the rapid decline of hive health. The presence of varroa mites in a colony can trigger cascading effects, including reduced productivity, behavioural changes, brood mortality, and eventual colony failure if left unmanaged.

[0003] The most common interventions for managing varroa infestations involve the use of synthetic miticides or organic acid treatments. While these approaches may reduce mite populations in the short term, they are associated with several drawbacks. Synthetic chemicals can leave residual compounds in beeswax and honey, which raises concerns for both consumer safety and product purity. Additionally, continuous reliance on chemical miticides has contributed to the development of resistance in mite populations, diminishing the long-term effectiveness of these treatments. Organic acids, such as formic and oxalic acid, offer an alternative control strategy but may be harmful to both bees and beekeepers if not carefully applied. These acids can stress the colony, affect queen viability, and require strict handling protocols.

[0004] Beyond chemical control, various hive configurations have been developed to incorporate physical strategies for managing varroa mite populations. One such approach involves modular hive arrangements that include removable drone comb,enabling beekeepers to monitor mite levels through visual inspection of drone brood. These systems are intended to exploit the mite's preference for drone cells by providing a controlled area where mites are likely to concentrate, allowing for subsequent removal of the infested comb.

[0005] A representative example is found in US 2016 / 0015007 A1 (SINANIS GEORGE) 21 January 2016, which describes a beehive incorporating drawer-like modules within the main hive structure, each configured to hold artificial drone comb. These drawers are accessible from the sides or top of the hive and can be removed periodically for inspection or replacement of the comb. While this arrangement provides a degree of modularity and facilitates visual assessment of mite infestation, it has inherent limitations in terms of practical implementation and efficacy.

[0006] In particular, although the design disclosed in D1 allows for routine monitoring and detection of infestation levels, it does not effectively contribute to the prevention or reduction of mite entry into the brood area in the first place. The configuration relies on retrospective identification and removal rather than interrupting the infestation process at an early stage. Moreover, the location of the drawers within the main hive body means that servicing them typically requires partial disruption of internal hive components, including drone comb being actively used by the colony, which may cause stress and reduce colony stability.

[0007] The present invention seeks to provide a way to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[0008] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.Summary of the Disclosure

[0009] The described system comprises a hive having a brood box and a base, with a drawer cabinet stacked between them. The drawer cabinet includes at least one side opening (preferably via the front of the hive) that houses a removable drawer, the drawer itself comprising a vertically open frame that defines a vertical entrancepassageway. One or more sacrificial strips of artificial drone comb are mounted within this frame such that all bee traffic between the hive entrance and the brood box must pass in close proximity to the comb.

[0010] By positioning the artificial drone comb within the vertical entrance passageway, the system encourages varroa mites to disembark from bees and infest the comb before reaching the brood chamber. This approach targets mite activity at the periphery of the hive, reducing the opportunity for reproduction within the brood area. The location of the comb in the natural transit path of the bees enhances the likelihood of interception without requiring behavioural changes from the colony.

[0011] The drawer cabinet, which may serve as a base or stack beneath the brood box, provides lateral access to the drawer, allowing beekeepers to remove, clean, or replace the comb without lifting hive components or disturbing the queen. The openframe structure of the drawer maintains unobstructed bee movement while integrating mite interception into routine traffic flow. The configuration enables non-intrusive servicing, supports hygienic comb replacement, and can be used without disrupting the thermal and structural stability of the hive interior.

[0012] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the artificial drone comb may comprise a top rail suspended across the drawer, from which a strip depends. The strip may include a plurality of drone-sized cells configured to mimic natural drone brood geometry. Preferably, the drone-sized cells are be provided on both sides of the strip to increase surface area exposure. These cells may be dimensioned with an internal diameter of approximately 6.4 millimetres, similar to that of naturally occurring drone cells.

[0013] The top rail may include locking tabs or similar engagement features to assist in securing the comb within the drawer frame. This may facilitate simple insertion and removal during servicing or replacement.

[0014] The artificial drone comb is optionally fabricated from a plastic material, which may be suitable for repeated sterilisation using boiling water, steam, or chemical agents, thereby supporting hygienic reuse across seasons.

[0015] To help manage wax buildup in the entrance region, a planar sheet may be positioned across the artificial comb. This sheet may include a matrix of apertures configured to allow bees to pass while limiting uncontrolled wax deposition.

[0016] In one arrangement, the drawer cabinet may comprise a front wall of reduced height relative to the side and rear walls, thereby defining an access opening for inserting and withdrawing the drawer. The upper surfaces of the side and rear walls of the cabinet may be configured to lie flush with the corresponding upper surface of the front wall of the drawer when inserted, such that the combination of drawer and cabinet forms continuous upper and lower planar interfaces. These interfaces engage tightly with the underside of the brood box above and the upper surface of the base below, respectively. This configuration avoids the formation of unintended gaps or alternate entry points between hive components, thereby ensuring that all bee traffic is channelled exclusively through the vertical entrance passageway defined by the open frame of the drawer. At the same time, the drawer remains laterally accessible through the side opening, enabling quick removal and servicing without disturbing the upper hive structure.

[0017] In some embodiments, the artificial drone comb may be treated with a pheromone compound to enhance mite attraction. The treatment may be applied to the comb surface or integrated during manufacture, and may mimic chemical cues typically emitted by drone larvae shortly before capping. The use of pheromones may serve to draw varroa mites not only from bees passing through the entrance passageway but also from other areas of the hive, including the brood box. This effect may be enhanced by a downward chemical gradient extending into the lower portion of the hive.

[0018] A method of controlling varroa mites may include installing the drawer cabinet between the brood box and the base, and inserting a removable drawer comprising a vertically open frame. One or more artificial drone combs may be mounted within this frame.

[0019] As part of this method, bees may be required to travel through the vertical passageway defined by the drawer frame, increasing their exposure to the artificial drone comb during ingress and egress.

[0020] The drawer may be periodically removed from the side of the hive (preferably via a front of the hive) for cleaning or replacement, preferably without disassembling the upper hive structure or removing the lid.

[0021] In some applications, the method may include applying pheromone treatment to the comb to enhance mite attraction. The pheromone may act to establish a concentration gradient, encouraging mites to migrate from within the brood area toward the entrance passageway and into the sacrificial comb.

[0022] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] Figure 1 shows a disassembled perspective view of a hive comprising a brood box, base, and an intermediate drawer cabinet configured to receive a removable drawer.

[0025] Figure 2 shows a front cross-sectional view of the hive of Figure 1 , illustrating the brood box, optional honey supers, and the drawer cabinet containing the drawer.

[0026] Figure 3 shows a side view of a lower portion of the hive illustrating the travel path of bees through the entrance, the vertical passageway, and into the brood box.

[0027] Figure 4 shows a side view of an artificial drone comb comprising a top rail and a suspended strip with drone-sized cells.

[0028] Figure 5 shows a plan view of the drawer removed from the cabinet.

[0029] Figure 6 shows a plan view of the drawer removed from the cabinet and containing a plurality of sacrificial drone comb strips.

[0030] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a drone comb covered by a planar wax guard board having a matrix of apertures to regulate wax accumulation while permitting bee passage.Description of Embodiments

[0031] Figure 1 shows a perspective disassembled view of a hive 100 for varroa mite control comprising a brood box 101 and a base 102. The brood box 101 serves as the primary chamber of the hive in which the queen bee lays eggs and in which the colony's brood — comprising eggs, larvae, and pupae — is raised. It typically contains a series of spaced frames that support wax comb, allowing the bees to build brood cells and carry out key reproductive and nursing behaviours within a thermally regulated environment.

[0032] Positioned above the brood box 101 in a typical configuration may be one or more supers 103. These supers 103 are supplementary hive boxes used primarily for the storage of honey. They also contain frames but are generally isolated from the brood chamber to minimise brood development in honey storage areas. In some implementations, a queen excluder may be placed between the brood box 101 and the supers 103 to prevent the queen from laying eggs in the supers.

[0033] The base 102 supports the brood box 101 and forms the lower part of the hive 100. Together, the base 102, brood box 101 , and any supers 103 form a vertically stacked hive arrangement. This stacked configuration is typically enclosed by a weatherproof lid 104, which may be opened periodically for inspection, maintenance, or honey harvesting. The modularity of the stacked form allows the hive structure to be expanded or rearranged as required, depending on the size of the colony or seasonal changes.

[0034] In accordance with conventional hive arrangements, the interface between the base 102 and the lower edge of the brood box 101 defines an entrance 105 through which bees may enter and exit the hive. This entrance 105 provides the primary point of ingress and egress for worker bees conducting foraging activity and is typically located along the front face of the hive near its base.

[0035] According to the arrangement shown in Figure 1 , the base 102 may comprise a planar board 106, the lateral edges of which are recessed within longitudinal side stringers 107. These stringers 107 elevate the brood box 101 above the planar board 106 and may terminate at the rear of the hive with a backboard 108. The resultingspacing between the upper surface of the planar board 106 and the lower edge of the brood box 101 forms an elongate entrance 105, through which bees may enter the hive from underneath. This configuration provides a low-profile and sheltered ingress path, helping to shield the entrance from weather exposure and intruders while enabling efficient airflow and ventilation.

[0036] Figure 1 further illustrates that the hive 100 includes a drawer cabinet 110 interposed between the brood box 101 and the base 102. The drawer cabinet 110 forms part of the stacked hive structure and is configured to retain one or more removable drawers containing artificial drone comb, as described below. The drawer cabinet 110 defines at least one side opening 111 , preferably positioned along the front of the hive to allow unobstructed external access. This front positioning is particularly advantageous when multiple hives are arranged side by side on pallets, as it permits beekeepers to service each hive independently without lifting or dismantling upper hive components.

[0037] Figure 2 shows a front cross-sectional view of the hive 100 in the assembled configuration of Figure 1 , including the brood box 101 and optional supers 103. Within the brood box 101 are brood combs 124, which are typically built or mounted on internal frames and are used for egg-laying, larval development, and rearing of new worker and drone bees. In contrast, the supers 103 contain honeycombs 125, which are generally reserved for nectar storage and honey production. The spatial separation between brood and honey storage regions assists with colony organisation and promotes hygienic handling practices during honey extraction.

[0038] The drawer cabinet 110 is configured to retain a removable drawer 112, which is slidably insertable into the side opening 111. The drawer 112 comprises a vertically open frame 126 that defines a vertical entrance passageway 117. This passageway provides the sole transit path for bees moving between the hive entrance 105 and the brood box 101 , thereby forcing incoming and outgoing bees to pass through the drawer 112. This strategic positioning ensures that any parasitic mites present on the bees are exposed to the contents of the drawer, which is equipped to intercept them. It is immaterial where or how the entrance 105 is defined, whether solely by the base102, between the base 102 and the drawer cabinet 110, or by the drawer cabinet 110 alone, provided that all bees entering or exiting the brood box 101 are directed through the vertical passageway 117.

[0039] Figure 1 also shows a top perspective view of the drawer cabinet 110, which may be assembled from a pair of sidewalls 114, a back wall 115 of equal height to the sidewalls, and a front wall 116 of reduced height relative to the back wall. This differential in wall height defines the side opening 111 into which the removable drawer 112 is received. The drawer 112 itself may be of rectangular construction with side, back, and front walls of uniform height. The upper and lower surfaces of the sidewalls 114 and back wall 115 may be aligned to define coplanar mating surfaces for interfacing with the underside of the brood box 101 and the upper surface of the base 102. In this way, the hive is structurally continuous while functionally partitioned, with airflow and bee access constrained to pass through the vertical entrance passageway 117.

[0040] Figure 6 shows that sacrificial strips of artificial drone comb 113 are mounted within the drawer 112. These strips are typically arranged longitudinally within the frame, although alternative orientations may be employed. The artificial drone combs 113 may be releasably secured within the vertically open frame 126 and are positioned to occupy the vertical entrance passageway 117. As such, all bees entering or exiting the brood box 101 are required to pass in close proximity to the drone combs 113, thereby increasing the likelihood of varroa mite interception and containment within this sacrificial comb medium.

[0041] Figure 4 shows a side view of one of the artificial drone combs 113, which may comprise a wide top rail 120 supported at its lateral ends by opposing sides of the drawer 112. In some embodiments, the top rail 120 may be provided with locking tabs 121 or other engagement features to secure it within corresponding recesses or slots in the drawer structure, ensuring the comb remains firmly seated during handling or transport.

[0042] Suspended from the top rail 120 is a strip 122 formed with a series of dronesized cells. These cells are typically about 6.4 millimetres in diameter, which is largerthan worker bee cells (approximately 5.2 millimetres) and specifically suited to the development of male drone bees. The increased cell size and the longer development time associated with drone brood make these cells particularly attractive to varroa mites, which preferentially infest drone brood due to the extended reproductive window. In some embodiments, the strip 122 may include drone cells on both faces, thereby maximising the available surface area for mite interception within a constrained passageway width.

[0043] Preferably, the entire comb 113, or at least the structural components such as the top rail 120 and the drone cell strip 122, are manufactured from a durable plastic material. Plastic construction ensures high dimensional stability and resistance to deformation or cracking under outdoor environmental conditions. Furthermore, plastic combs may be sterilised using high-temperature steam, boiling water, or chemical sanitising agents without structural degradation, enabling the combs to be reused or cleaned between seasons. This facilitates hygienic management and contributes to the long-term viability of the system in commercial operations. In alternative embodiments, the comb 113 is made from a natural wax substrate.

[0044] Figure 7 illustrates how each drone comb 113 may be covered by a planar wax guard board 118. This board 118 includes a matrix of apertures 119 formed therethrough. The wax guard board 118 functions to prevent free-form wax deposits, or burr comb, from forming within the entrance passageway, which can occur over time due to natural bee behaviour. By covering the surface of the artificial drone comb 113, the wax guard board 118 blocks the accumulation of obstructive wax while still permitting bees to pass through. The apertures 119 are sized and spaced to allow bees to travel into and out of the brood box with minimal impedance, thereby maintaining normal hive traffic while ensuring exposure to the drone comb surfaces.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a side view of the lower portion of the hive 100 and the typical travel paths 127 followed by bees as they enter and exit the hive. Upon entry, bees first pass through the entrance 105, located between the base 102 and the drawer cabinet 110. From there, they ascend through the vertical passageway 117 defined by the vertically open frame 126 of the drawer 112. As they transit this zone, beesare exposed on both sides to the artificial drone combs 113, which increases the opportunity for varroa mites to transfer from the bees to the combs. After this exposure, bees pass through the apertures 119 in the wax guard board 118 and continue upward into the brood box 101. When exiting the hive, the bees follow the reverse path, again passing in close proximity to the artificial drone combs, thereby maintaining ongoing mite interception during both ingress and egress.

[0046] The sacrificial strips of artificial drone comb 113 are preferably injection moulded or extruded from rigid, heat-resistant plastic such as polypropylene or a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) compound. These materials provide dimensional consistency, mechanical durability, and chemical stability, allowing the combs to be reused or sanitised as required. The strips may be fabricated with a repeating matrix of hollow projections forming the characteristic drone cell structure, each cell having a diameter of approximately 6.4 millimetres and a depth of around 12 to 14 millimetres, consistent with conventional drone brood comb geometry.

[0047] These drone-sized cells serve a dual function. Firstly, they mimic the dimensions and appearance of naturally constructed drone comb, which bees will treat as a suitable site for drone brood rearing. Secondly, and more critically in the context of varroa mite control, these artificial combs exploit the mite’s reproductive preference for drone brood. Varroa destructor females preferentially enter drone cells shortly before capping and lay multiple eggs during the drone’s longer development cycle, thereby achieving a higher reproductive yield than in worker cells. By installing the artificial drone comb 113 within the vertical entrance passageway, the mites are provided with an ideal colonisation site immediately upon entering the hive. This location ensures that mites carried in on forager bees are intercepted before they reach the brood comb 124 within the brood box 101.

[0048] The vertical orientation of the passageway 117 forces all traffic between the hive entrance 105 and the brood box 101 to pass through the region occupied by the drone comb 113. This deliberate positioning of sacrificial comb in the flight path of incoming and outgoing bees creates repeated opportunities for mites to disembark and infest the artificial comb. As these combs are non-essential to colony survivaland are not used for raising productive brood or storing honey, they may be periodically removed, cleaned, or destroyed, effectively removing a portion of the mite population from the colony without the use of chemicals or disruption to the queen’s laying cycle.

[0049] The drawer 112 housing the artificial drone comb is configured for external access via the side opening 111 of the drawer cabinet 110. This arrangement allows the drawer to be withdrawn and replaced without disturbing the superstructure of the hive. In particular, the beekeeper need not lift or remove the brood box 101 or open the hive lid 104, thereby avoiding colony disturbance, thermal shock, or physical agitation of the queen and nurse bees. The ability to service the mite-trapping system from the hive’s exterior not only reduces labour but also supports more frequent monitoring and maintenance cycles, enhancing long-term mite suppression without compromising hive integrity.

[0050] In some embodiments, the artificial drone combs 113 may be treated with synthetic or extracted pheromones to enhance their attractiveness to varroa mites. The application of artificial pheromones to the comb surfaces functions as a behavioural lure, further encouraging mites to disembark from host bees and enter the sacrificial combs 130. These pheromones may be formulated to mimic the chemical cues naturally emitted by drone larvae shortly before cell capping — a critical window during which varroa mites are known to invade brood cells for reproduction.

[0051] The treatment may involve the direct application of a controlled-release pheromone compound to the surface of the combs 130 or the incorporation of the compound into the plastic material during manufacture. In either case, the slow diffusion of the pheromone into the surrounding environment establishes a localised chemical signal field concentrated within the entrance passageway 117. This signal stimulates mite migration from bees in transit through the passageway, increasing the probability of infestation within the artificial comb cells.

[0052] Moreover, by establishing a persistent pheromone gradient oriented towards the drawer cabinet 110, the treated combs 130 may also attract free-roaming varroa mites already within the brood box 101. As varroa mites often exhibit limited mobilityacross hive surfaces, particularly in search of new reproductive sites, the pheromone- treated combs serve as a strategic sink. This downward chemical pull encourages mites to migrate from the brood combs 124 through the vertical passageway 117 and into the artificial drone combs 130, where they can be physically trapped and removed during routine drawer servicing. In embodiments, the varroa mites may be attracted to natural pheromones emitted by drones within the artificial drone comb 113.

[0053] This pheromone-based enhancement operates synergistically with the structural interception mechanism of the hive and enables passive, chemical-free varroa reduction strategies. By combining the varroa mite’s reproductive instincts with its chemosensory responsiveness, the treated combs provide an extended radius of influence, effectively expanding the functional trapping zone beyond the physical confines of the drawer 112 and into the brood chamber itself.

[0054] In some implementations, the hive 100 may further comprise a queen excluder positioned between the brood box 101 and any supers 103. The queen excluder is typically a flat, perforated barrier with slots or holes sized to allow passage of worker bees while preventing the larger queen bee from moving beyond the brood box. This configuration enables the queen to remain confined to the brood chamber, thereby ensuring that egg-laying and brood development are restricted to the frames within the brood box 101 .

[0055] The use of a queen excluder in conjunction with the present varroa mite control system preserves a clear functional division between brood rearing and honey storage areas. This spatial separation prevents the contamination of honeycombs 125 in the supers 103 with brood activity, facilitating cleaner honey harvesting. Additionally, by maintaining the queen's presence within the brood box 101 , varroa mite concentrations remain focused in the area below the queen excluder, where they are more effectively intercepted by the sacrificial artificial drone combs 113 positioned in the vertical entrance passageway 117. This improves the efficiency of mite control while preserving colony organisation and productivity.

[0056] In use, the hive 100 is assembled by stacking the drawer cabinet 110 between the base 102 and the brood box 101 , and enclosing the stack with a weatherproof lid104. The brood box 101 may contain brood combs 124 for egg-laying and larval development, and one or more supers 103 may be positioned above the brood box for honey storage. The drawer 112 is inserted into the side opening 111 of the drawer cabinet 110, with artificial drone combs 113 secured within the vertically open frame 126, thereby occupying the vertical entrance passageway 117 between the base 102 and the brood box 101.

[0057] During normal operation, bees enter the hive through the elongate entrance 105 formed between the base 102 and the underside of the drawer cabinet 110. As they proceed upward into the brood box 101 , they traverse the vertical passageway 117, passing alongside the surfaces of the artificial drone combs 113. The exposed drone-sized cells provide favourable conditions for varroa mites to leave their hosts and enter the comb cells, particularly where pheromone treatment has been applied to enhance mite attraction.

[0058] Bees continue through the apertures 119 of the wax guard board 118 covering the combs 113 and into the brood box 101 , where they carry out normal colony activities. This arrangement ensures that all bee traffic into and out of the brood box 101 passes in close proximity to the sacrificial drone combs 113, increasing the likelihood of intercepting mites both entering with foragers and leaving the hive on departing bees. Mites that infest the artificial drone comb cells can be removed during routine servicing, which may be carried out at intervals determined by infestation levels or seasonal conditions.

[0059] To service the system, the beekeeper accesses the drawer 112 by sliding it out from the side opening 111 of the drawer cabinet 110. This may be done without lifting the brood box 101 or removing the lid 104, thereby avoiding disturbance to the brood or honey stores. The drawer 112 may then be inspected, and the combs 113 removed, cleaned, sterilised, or replaced. If mites are observed within the drone cells, the entire comb may be discarded or treated before reinsertion. The drawer 112 is then returned to the cabinet 110, and the hive resumes normal function.

[0060] This method supports a passive varroa management strategy that may be integrated into standard hive maintenance routines, reducing the need for chemicalmiticides and minimising disruption to colony health and productivity. Through strategic placement of mite-attractive structures and easy external access, the system provides an effective and scalable approach to ongoing varroa mite suppression.

[0061] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims1. A hive for varroa mite control comprising: a brood box and a base; a drawer cabinet stacked between the brood box and the base, the drawer cabinet defining at least one side opening; a removable drawer insertable into the side opening of the drawer cabinet, the drawer comprising a vertically open frame that defines a vertical entrance passageway through which bees must pass when transiting into or out of the brood box; and one or more sacrificial strips of artificial drone comb releasably mounted within the vertically open frame and positioned in the vertical entrance passageway, wherein the artificial drone comb is positioned to intercept varroa mites before they reach the brood box, and wherein the drawer is externally accessible for removal and replacement without lifting the brood box or opening the hive lid.

2. The hive of claim 1 , wherein the artificial drone comb comprises a top rail suspended across the drawer and a strip depending from the top rail, the strip comprising a plurality of drone-sized cells.

3. The hive of claim 2, wherein the drone-sized cells have a diameter of approximately 6.4 millimetres and are disposed on both opposing sides of the strip.

4. The hive of claim 2, wherein the top rail includes locking tabs configured to releasably engage the drawer.

5. The hive of claim 1 , wherein the artificial drone comb is manufactured from a plastic material suitable for sterilisation by boiling water or steam.

6. The hive of claim 1 , wherein the artificial drone comb is covered by a planar sheet having a matrix of apertures therethrough, the sheet configured to permit bee passage while preventing wax accumulation within the vertical entrance passageway.

7. The hive of claim 1 , wherein the drawer cabinet comprises a front wall of reduced height relative to the side and back walls, defining the side opening for insertion of the drawer.

8. The hive of claim 1 , wherein the artificial drone comb is treated with a pheromone compound configured to attract varroa mites.

9. The hive of claim 8, wherein the pheromone compound is configured to mimic chemical cues emitted by drone larvae prior to cell capping.

10. The hive of claim 8, wherein the pheromone compound is configured to attract varroa mites from within the brood box toward the vertical entrance passageway.

11. A method of controlling varroa mites in a hive comprising a brood box and a base, the method comprising: installing a drawer cabinet between the brood box and the base, the drawer cabinet having at least one side opening; inserting a removable drawer into the side opening of the drawer cabinet, the drawer comprising a vertically open frame defining a vertical entrance passageway between the base and the brood box; and releasably mounting one or more sacrificial strips of artificial drone comb within the vertically open frame.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising forcing bee traffic between the brood box and the base to pass through the vertical entrance passageway.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising periodically removing the drawer from the side opening without lifting the brood box or removing the hive lid.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising treating the artificial drone comb with a pheromone compound configured to attract varroa mites.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising attracting varroa mites from within the brood box toward the vertical entrance passageway by means of a pheromone gradient.

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