Nuc Inspection and Varroa Mite Check

Long video of looking through a Nucleus colony.
@14 minutes - Selection and review of the chosen frame (for queen) for varroa sample
@19:30 - Shaking bees off and collecting the sample
@ 23:30 - discuss the outcome of the sample

The premise of this work was an inspection of the colony with a mite check along the way. I wanted a sense of how the colony was doing and needed to understand its state in anticipation of an upcoming split. The mite check was secondary but also part of the objective... as I wanted to know the hive's mite load prior to splitting it. I did pull six of those top bar frames out for a new colony a week later.

[rochellehalligan]

Completely fascinated by your expertise and comfort level with these incredible critters...

[kareneaton]

Kevin, at 14:20 mins. you say "this is bees under wax cappings" looking at capped brood. I've not heard that before. My understanding is the brood cappings allow air flow and that's why formic acid treatment for varroa is effective because it can penetrate the brood cappings. So what is the make up of a brood cappings? And how do the bees make it?

[toddposton]

First season beekeeper question: My first mite check (last week), resulted in nearly all the bees that I shook off flying away. That's a problem I think I can correct. My question is about when you mentioned that those that do fly off when you shake, will find their way back to the hive because they are foragers. If they are nurse/house bees, I thought that they have never left the hive (or have flown); so do they still find a way back in, having never taken orientation flights or even seen the entrance? Or is it only the foragers that would fly off and try and make their way home?

[MasterIntubator]

You ever use the mite board vs the alcohol wash? Any result differences when routinely done?

[kenlowrey]

I'm curious about the top cover you have on this nuc. Did you build it to have extra space at the top? I appreciate your video!

[AndrewAHayes]

Her Maj has been extremely busy, lovely brood patterns!

[paullee]

Smh so u killed all those bees y not just sugar roll them wow