Test for Varroa Mites Now!

August is coming fast and it is time for a Varroa test! This will give you a base line, to see if you need to treat for Varroa mites this season.

One of the easiest way to test is to use what is called the Sugar Roll Method or Sugar Shake Method.

 Gather your supplies:

-Domino powder sugar ( no starch ) it is bad for the bees

-Mason jar with screen lid

-white paper plate

-water spray bottle

-1/2 cup measuring scoop (~300 bees sample)

-Plastic box--to put everything and use it too!

Method :

-Put 2 TBS powder sugar in jar

-Take a frame of bees, and shake it in the plastic box --Take a frame from the center of you brood box, where there are open and capped brood and LOTS of nurse bees.

-WATCH!!! make sure the Queen is NOT in the plastic box!

-Tap the frame into the plastic box

-Scoop the bees with the measuring cup, and put in jar with sugar

-Put the lid on, right away

-Give the jar a little toss, to cover the bees with sugar

-Put jar in the shade 1-1.30 minute ( the heat will help dislodge the mites)

-Spray the paper plate with water

-Shake the jar over the plate until there is no more sugar in the jar!

-Count the mites in the plate

-Return the "sugary" bees in the hive ( They will be cleaned up by their sisters!)

Mites on plate!

"Sugary" bees!

Recommendation of Mite Load from the University of MN:

It has been recommended that if there are MORE than 3 or 4 mites/100 bees you should treat your colony.

It is only a recommendation, obviously you can do whatever you want. But this is the pre-determined threshold where it is a good idea to keep the mites in check so the health of the colony is not jeopardized. 

My next blog post will talk about the option of treating for Varroa mites.