EPO Section Cage for Hive Frame

When mite counts hit 5% in midsummer, the season is at risk. Winter bees —the ones that keep the colony alive— will emerge weakened and virus-loaded. And every beekeeper eventually asks the same question: how do you break the varroa reproductive cycle without relying on constant chemical treatments?

The answer is backed by European projects such as Varroaresistenz and by the protocols of Dr K. Olszewski (University of Life Sciences, Lublin, 2025). This metal cassette is the core tool of the combined trap-brood method, a simplified and highly effective alternative to the classic three-frame system.

The principle: the queen is confined inside the cassette, where the wax foundation allows egg-laying but the shallow cell depth prevents viable brood development. Within weeks, the colony has no capped brood, leaving varroa mites exposed on adult bees.

Two-stage strategic action

For the first 16 days it works as a laying isolator. When the clip is removed, the queen exits onto the trap frame —kept inside a full-frame vertical isolator— and begins laying heavily. Varroa mites rush into the only available brood. Once capped, the frame is removed and melted, eliminating most mites without residues or resistance issues.

Galvanised metal: practical advantages

Unlike plastic cages, this cassette is made of galvanised metal: better thermoregulation, excellent hygiene, easy disinfection and very good bee acceptance.

Standard protocol (Olszewski 2025)

Day 0: mount cassette, insert queen, secure clip.

Day 16: remove clip; queen exits onto trap frame.

Day 25: remove the isolator; place trap frame in hive centre.

Day 30 - 32: remove & melt

If needed, wait up to day 35–36.

European studies report around 90% mite reduction and healthier, longer-lived winter bees thanks to reduced DWV circulation.

Compatibility: fits standard Dadant, Langstroth and Layens frames with simple assembly.

Included: galvanised metal cassette, sliding gate and locking clip.