How to see if you have Mites in your Beehive?
How to see if you have mites in your beehive:
For this reason, detecting Varroa mites in your beehive is crucial for the health of your bee colony. Here are some common methods to check for the presence of mites:
### 1. **Visual Inspection**:
– **Look for Symptoms**: Regularly inspect your bees for signs of distress, such as a decrease in adult bee population, malformed wings, or presence of dead bees. Naturally, these signs may indicate beehive mites.
– **Examine Brood Patterns**: Typically, mite infestations can lead to abnormal brood patterns. Subsequently, affected brood may appear to die before emerging, and you might see “sunken” brood cells.
### 2. **Sticky Board Method**:
– **Use a Sticky Board**: Place a sticky board under the bottom screen of the hive. Consequently, the mites falling off bees will stick to the board, helping to identify beehive mites.
– **Check After 24 Hours**: To clarify, remove the board and count the number of mites stuck to it. As a rule, this can give you an indication of the hive’s mite levels.
### 3. **Alcohol Wash Method**:
– **Take a Sample**: At this time, remove three frames of bees (approximately 300 bees) from your hive. Use a bee brush to collect bees into a jar or container. Typically, this will help in detecting beehive mites.
– **Mix with Alcohol**: Add about 2 cups of rubbing alcohol to the jar with the bees. Seal the container and shake it vigorously for about 30 seconds.
– **Strain and Count Mites**: To break it down, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to separate the bees from the alcohol. Count the number of mites that fall through. Simply put, this method offers a clear indication of the infestation level.
### 4. **Sugar Shake Method**:
– **Collect Bees**: Similar to the alcohol wash method, collect about 300 bees from the hive.
– **Mix with Powdered Sugar**: Place the bees in a container with a lid and add 1 cup of powdered sugar. Clearly, shake the container to coat the bees with sugar, which dislodges the mites.
– **Let Mites Fall**: Overall, allow the bees to sit for a few minutes, then very gently shake out the bees (without pouring out the sugar) onto a white sheet of paper or a tray. Finally, count the mites that fall out, helping to spot beehive mites.
### 5. **Drone Comb Inspection**:
– **Remove Drone Brood**: In simple terms, Varroa mites are attracted to drone brood. Remove some drone comb from the hive and inspect for mites.
– **Look for Mites**: Check for mites on the pupae or the cells and assess the level of infestation. Generally speaking, this can help you identify beehive mites.
18px20px”>### 6. **Monitoring Kits**:
– **Use Varroa Monitoring Kits**: In short, consider purchasing Varroa monitoring kits designed for beekeepers. Often, these come with detailed instructions on how to detect and manage mite populations, including beehive mites.
### 7. **Regular Monitoring**:
– **Be Proactive**: Regular inspections every few weeks, especially during peak seasons, can help catch mite problems early. Also, keeping notes on mite counts and trends over time will help manage your hive effectively, ensuring beehive mites are kept in check.
### Conclusion:
Above all, if you find a high number of Varroa mites in your hive, it’s essential to take measures to treat the infestation promptly. Various treatment options include chemical treatments, essential oils, and mechanical methods, depending on your preferences and philosophy towards hive management. Always be sure to check local regulations regarding treatment methods in your area.
To buy supplies to check for mites – click here
To learn more about beekeeping – click here
