Methods to use the nonlethal “sugar shake” methodology to examine a yard residential beehive for a varroa mite infestation.

Varroa mites are one of many largest threats to the well being and long-term viability of a beehive.

For these of us who maintain honeybees within the yard, it is very important do routine month-to-month checks for varroa to make sure that all is effectively together with your winged buddies!

“Sugar Shake” Check for Varroa Mites

On this newest video added to my playlist on beekeeping, I take advantage of what known as the “sugar shake” methodology for a varroa mites examine.

This methodology is taught by the Institute of Meals and Agricultural Sciences on the College of Florida. (1)

The sugar shake is a nonlethal, nonharmful methodology to soundly examine your hive for a varroa mite infestation.

It includes 4 steps:

• Acquire a half cup of bees from a brood body (be sure that the queen shouldn’t be on this body first).
• Coat the check bees with 2 tablespoons of powdered cane sugar and allow them to sit for five minutes.
• Gently shake the sugar onto a white floor and rely the variety of dislodged mites. Three or fewer mites is taken into account a “cross”.
• Safely return the check bees to the hive.

Professionals

The first good thing about the sugar shake is that it’s a fast and simple methodology for novice and beginner beekeepers to maintain tabs on the well being of the hive.

One other huge plus is that the check is innocent and nonlethal to the check bees.

Cons

The one downside of the sugar shake methodology is that it’s much less correct in humid climate.

It is because a excessive moisture content material within the air causes the powdered sugar to clump, leading to a much less correct consequence.

This draw back is definitely remedied by performing the check inside an air conditioned constructing.

Merely seize the check bees in a jar and transfer inside a climate-controlled room to conduct the rest of the check.

Failed Check?

If the check for varroa mites fails, then remedial motion to manage the extreme varroa mites is a good suggestion.

This video on easy methods to safely deal with a yard beehive for varroa mites offers extra particulars.

One other various is to transition to brood frames with smaller hexagonal cells, akin to what could be present in wild honeybee colonies. Some analysis means that this may also help to short-circuit the varroa mite lifecycle with no hurt to the hive. This can be a favored method by beekeepers who espouse a hands-off methodology for controlling varroa. (2)

There are different choices to think about for protected, nonlethal varroa management akin to utilizing a screened backside board (which I take advantage of). (3)

One other thought is to make home made pollen patties for the bees to offer further vitamin. A powerful hive is of course immune to any infestation together with varroa. That is one thing I’m going to make use of myself and will likely be masking in a later publish and video! (4)

References

(1) Institute of Meals and Agricultural Sciences on the College of Florida

(2) An Built-in Pest Administration Method to Management Varroa Mites

(3) A Meta-Evaluation Reveals That Display Backside Boards Can Considerably Scale back Varroa destructor Inhabitants

(4) How To Forestall And Management Varroa Mites In Your Hive