Beekeeping Mite Control: How To Test & Assess Your Bees

Beekeeping is much more difficult now that the varroa destructor mite is in the US. Today, I'll teach you how to perform a mite test, how to calculate your results and decide if you need to treat.

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This video was filmed Using:
Camera: Canon R10
Lens: Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM
Microphone: Comica Wireless Lavalier Microphone, BoomX-D2 2.4G Compact

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Plan ahead for spring. Feed your bees in the fall by using my Feeding board known as the Burns Bees Feeder. Safely feed your bees from the top. Great way to help you build up your bees of winter physiology. Check it out:
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Whoa, you made it all the way down here! Thank you ♥️ Love you

[Nectar_pirates]

Since you prefer the powdered sugar roll, it would have been cool to see a side-by-side comparison on the same colony.

[billprivette]

Article and study by Anne Richards, a Cornell University certified Master Beekeeper, in June 2024 American Bee Journal, page 666. "Sugar shake is very nearly as effective as alcohol wash and leads to the same management actions in most cases..."

[altaylor]

You mentioned early spring. Was this before the nectar flow?

[MattWelling]

Ceracell directions claim you can use 1 cup alcohol with 2 cups of water…may save you some $s on alcohol.

[tonybickerdike]

Hey David, do you have any thoughts on this heat treatment procedure using the contraption called the varroa controller developed in Europe?

[ArnTheViking]

Hey Dave!
I think Dr Zac Lamas have come up with a much better idea than the standard alcohol wash. If I understand his theory correctly, the summary is: Varroa mites prefer drones. Making an alcohol was on "random" bees can be very misleading. If your target sample is just drones you can detect varroa infestation much earlier and more accurately. Plus you don't end up killing a bunch of worker bees unnecessarily. I was going to post a link to his website, but apparently that caused my post to get deleted, but it's easy to find if you make a search on his name. Would be great to hear your thoughts on it. Thanks!

[WildwoodsBeekeeping]

First 😁Great Topic David!! When Testing, I always Use a Little Dawn Dishwasher Soap with Water, Like 1 Gallon Water and Spoon full Of Dawn, I can't Remember the exact Measurement, Gotta go back and see it to remember it, Lol. Ive Tried The sugar Wash and found 1 Mite but the Alcohol Wash Method Works so Much Better and effective. Nice Job! Have a great Day David!!

[Gallowaylights]

00:03:10 You are missing the sky camera from a drone😊 neet to see how you get this great footage!

[honeybees]

Hi David, How long would you expect to have a brood break in a situation like replacing the queen etc thanks. Rob woodslee bees 🐝

[lshadowens]

Hi David. What gloves are you using in this video please? I’m on the hunt for something better than the leather. After a bad sting near nail bed looks like no nitrile or bare hands for me. Thank you

[jessicafairfax_Bens_Bees]

Thanks for sharing David. I know a lot of new beekeepers will appreciate the timing of this video. 👍🐝😁💜 See y'all tonight on the Livestream

[homercampbelljr]

I’m curious with a lot of people getting nucs

Within a 24 hour period transporting and placing in your box and you have over 300 dead bees in the bottom,
can you use those for an alcohol wash?
Or do they need to be freshly (alive ) in the
alcohol?

[karindinarda]

I'm a newbie and have only had my 2 hives for 2 1/2 weeks. While I was just watching today, I saw a bunch of small, tiny ants crawling on the outside of deep box and feeder box ( I have your feeder in a super, Love it) The stand is wood. What can I use to get rid of ants?

[jayglosser]

GREAT video for mite testing. Super sunny here today, expecting 80 degrees today. 😎🙂👍