The present disclosure is directed to a formulation and method for preventing or reducing a Varroa mite infestation of a beehive and/or a bee colony. The present disclosure is also directed to a formulation and method for directing or repelling Varroa mites away from bees and/or a beehive. In particular, the method is directed to protecting bees and bee colonies from Varroa mites by utilizing a formulation containing a specific varroacide compound. The varroacide compound comprises a phenyl imidazole, a phenyl pyrrole, a phenyl pyrazole, or a combination thereof.