Product Description
Varroa check allows you to check your hive utilizing an alcohol wash (most accurate) or powdered sugar shake. Instructions included with device, but a more detailed set of instructions follows:
2 Options for Testing:
Option 1) Alcohol Wash*: An alcohol wash uses isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or non-foaming, winter windshield wiper fluid to separate the mites from the sample of bees. Using a Varroa Check sampler is an accurate method to determine mite levels. Compared to a sugar roll, an alcohol wash is faster and more accurate. The disadvantage is that the sample of 300 bees is sacrificed during the test. Many beekeepers are hesitant to kill the tested bees. Keep in mind that a queen typically produces between 1,000 and 1,500 eggs per day, so the loss of 300 bees generally has no harmful consequences.
What you need to do the test:
- Varroa Check device (using a separate1/2 cup measure is optional)
- Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or non-foaming, winter windshield washer fluid
- Large plastic tub
- Timer
- Fine mesh strainer
- Quart-sized plastic container to use during straining
- Larger, lidded container to collect used sampling fluid if you are doing more than a few tests.
How to use the Varroa Check
One important note to start out: Because this test kills all the bees that are tested, it’s important to be able to find your queen and make sure she isn’t among the bees being tested.
Before you start Pour isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or windshield washing fluid into the Varroa Check device. Add enough fluid so that it’s above the bottom of the inner perforated cylinder.
Find and isolate the queen. The bees with the most amount of mites on their bodies are likely to be the nurse bees caring for the open brood. Those are the bees you want to test. Select a frame that is at the outer edge of, or just outside, the brood area. Look the frame over carefully to make sure the queen is not on it. When you find the queen, temporarily place the frame she is on in a nuc box.
Set the plastic tub on the ground near the stack. Hold the selected frame firmly and give it a sharp downward shake directly over the tub or over the inner cup of the Varroa Check. This will dislodge the bees and drop them, unharmed, into the box or cup. The nurse bees, unlike the foragers and drones, will stay in the box for a short period. As soon as the bees are off the frame, put it back into hive to keep the brood warm and safe. If using the Varroa Check cup, keep bees to the level of the top indicator line on the inside of the cup (about 1” up from the bottom). If pouring bees into a tub, measure out ½ cup of bees using a half cup measure.
Get the bees into the sampling container.
Use a half-cup measuring scoop to gather the bees to be tested up from those in the corner of the box. Remove the lid of the Varroa Check and dump the bees into the inner basket. Put the lid back on. If you poured the bees directly into the Varroa Check cup, this step is already completed. Just be sure the bee level is to the top indicator line (about 1” from the bottom of the cup) in the basket.
Doing the test:
- Swirl once to wet the bees and then open the container and add fluid up to the top of the “legs” on outer container.
- Swirl the container gently for 60 seconds.
- Hold the container up to the light and count the mites.
- Divide the mite count by 3 to get a percentage (e.g. 15 mites per 300 bees = 5 per 100, or 5%).
After you’ve counted the mites, lift the basket out and discard the bees. Pour the sampling fluid through the strainer to remove the mites and debris. The sampling fluid can usually be reused a few times before it needs to replaced.
Evaluating the results: Generally the treatment threshold is considered to be 2% (no more than six mites per 300 bees.) Treat your hives accordingly.
*During the alcohol wash you may experience some discharge of the fluid from the container. This is perfectly normal. Just be careful not to get the liquid on your face and hands. If this happens, rinse immediately with water.
Option 2) Sugar Shake: For a powdered sugar shake, follow the steps above substituting powered sugar where it calls for alcohol. You will also need water for a sugar shake. Under “Doing the Test”, you will need to shake the container for the 60 seconds then let it sit undisturbed for an additional 60 seconds. Remove the basket with the bees and release them into the hive. Pour the powdered sugar into the tub and pour water over it to dissolve the sugar. The mites will appear as the sugar dissolves. Evaluate the results as per above. The advantage of the sugar shake is that the bees are returned to the hive unharmed, but the results of the test is not as accurate. Take that into consideration when determining your treatment options.
