Detection of Varroa infestations can be difficult at low levels. Adult mites may be visible on the exterior of drones and workers, attached to the thorax at the bases of wings, to the intersegmental membranes on the abdominal segments, or at the junction of the head and thorax. Colony symptoms may include spotty brood patterns, pupae with reddish brown spots on the body (attached mites), discarded pupae at the hive entrance and malformed workers and drones. In colonies with heavy mite infestations, workers with deformed wings can often be seen on the combs and around the entrance of the hive. The extent of symptoms varies with the degree of infestation and the only sure way to determine if colonies are infested is to sample both adults and brood for the presence of mites.

The technique recommended for sampling colonies involves the use of an acaricide impregnated plastic strip (Apistan strip) that is inserted into a hive . A special board with sticky paper to catch debris is placed on the bottom board of the hive to catch mites killed by the chemical pesticide. (Alternately, a piece of white poster board sprayed with some vegetable shortening can be used. It is best to place a piece of screen over the board to prevent bees from removing mites.) At the end of a day or two the strips and the catch board are removed and the sheet of paper is examined for mites. If mites are present they will be stuck to the paper. Other techniques are available for sampling colonies, but this method is the most reliable. The method cannot be used however, if supers or honey are on the hive. They must be removed before the Apistan strips are inserted into the hive.

The treatment for colonies with Varroa mites involves the use of the Apistan strips. Recommended treatment is two strips per full depth hive body of bees, suspended between frames, and left in the hive for at least 6 weeks. Strips should not be left in longer than 8 weeks. The best time to treat hives is late summer or early fall (mid to late August through September). Treatment later than early fall tends not to be effective for overwintering. Some beekeepers also treat in early spring before build-up and colonies are supered for honey production.