Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => DISEASE & PEST CONTROL => Topic started by: montauk170 on October 28, 2010, 02:15:48 pm

Title: Mite count with solid bottom boards?
Post by: montauk170 on October 28, 2010, 02:15:48 pm

Is there a way to do mite counts with solid bottom boards?
If so, how?

Title: Re: Mite count with solid bottom boards?
Post by: AllenF on October 28, 2010, 02:19:51 pm

Put a cup of bees in a mason jar and use sugar or starting fluid to count. 

   1. Using a wide mouthed jar, such as a mason or pickle jar, collect a sample of bees (not the queen) and fill the jar about 1/3 full.
   2. Using ether, such as that from a can of carburetor starter fluid, apply a small amount to the bees (approximately a tablespoon worth). The inside of jar should be slightly moist with all bees at the bottom.
   3. Place the lid on the jar and roll bees for about 20-30 seconds.
   4. If done quickly, the jar may be opened and some of the bees may escape alive, though this is doubtful and the ones that do survive will be ready to sting.
   5. Examine the sides and bottom of the ether filled jar. If you count one or more mites, it is advised that you begin some sort of treatment. If you count around a dozen mites, it means you have a significant infestation, and should immediately begin treatment. If you find more mites than you can easily count, your hive is in serious trouble
   6. Dump remaining dead bees and clean the jar before next use.

Title: Re: Mite count with solid bottom boards?
Post by: Michael Bush on October 28, 2010, 10:29:06 pm

Sticky boards.
Sugar shakes.
Alcohol washes.

Lots of ways.

Title: Re: Mite count with solid bottom boards?
Post by: BjornBee on October 29, 2010, 07:30:03 am

As long as you do whatever procedure you select, the same every time, to allow a picture of what is happening in the hive, then I would go with....

Sugar shakes. (I find spraying starter fluid in the bee yard and killing bees somewhat questionable on several levels. I am always surprised by the folks that actually promote and suggest it.)

Slide in sticky board.

Drone uncapping

Title: Re: Mite count with solid bottom boards?
Post by: tecumseh on November 03, 2010, 08:40:15 am

allenf writes:
Put a cup of bees in a mason jar and use sugar

tecumseh:
most folks recommend you take this cup of bees from the brood area.

all the standard methods (at least according to the literature) is fraught with a large error term.  reliability might be enhanced by multiple measurement within the same hive.

I have found drone plucking is the most doable method for me considering my numbers and labor resource.

Title: Re: Mite count with solid bottom boards?
Post by: Finski on November 06, 2010, 03:05:09 pm

.
I don't count them. I just kill. They are hundreds.