Stop 🛑 the Varroa Destructor : PART 1 | Beekeeping 101

The most important step in varroa mite mitigation is TESTING. There are many different opinions in the beekeeping community surrounding control of the pest "varroa destructor"
.

At @BohemiaBees we practice a series of IPM (integrated pest management) techniques to help combat these pests in our colonies. Maintaining strong colonies via diversified genetics, the use of screen bottom boards and brood breaks helps control the mite loads in our colonies. However , if you don't know what your mite loads are, you can't effectively control the volume.

This is why we recommend a good TEST PROGRAM along with a TREATMENT PLAN or PLAN TO CONTROL mites. In this video we are demonstrating how we test our colonies using the mite wash method. We have since switched to using dawn soap and water as our release mechanism opposed to isopropyl alcohol since recent studies have show the soap water releases more mites than the alcohol.

TOOLS WE USE

Great book on managing Varroa Mites in your apiary
Varroa management: a practical guide on how to manage Varroa mites in honey bee colonies

GET YOUR @Bohemia Bees MERCH HERE:

VIDEO CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:08 Time to test for varroa destructor
1:18 Why should we control the varroa mite
2:06 How do we test for varroa mites
2:57 What do varroa mites look like
3:15 Varroa mites can expand population fast in a colony
4:05 The wash test method
5:42 Steps to test a colony
7:15 Selecting your test frame
8:50 Setting up the Ceracell Varroa Mite Test Bottle
9:49 Shaking and scooping bees
10:47 Swirl for 1 min & release any mites
11:29 Checking the mite drop test results
11:54 Understanding your test results
12:40 Wrapping up
13:30 Outtro

SUBSCRIBE AND SET ALERTS TO SHOW YOU IN ANOTHER VIDEO FOR PART 2 : Treating for mites

Videos are produced, edited, and published by Jason Crook, Owner & Operator of Bohemia Apiary. Jason is a University of Montana Master Certified Beekeeper, who has been keeping bees for almost a decade and enjoys sharing his experiences with the craft of beekeeping. Remember beekeeping is local, our videos outline are what works for us and are not intended to be a prescription for your bee colonies or how to operate your apiary. Although these concepts are generally endorsed by many beekeepers you have to listen, watch, and learn from your bees as well as other resources in the craft of beekeeping.

"Beekeeping is more than a hobby, it's an obsession" - J.Crook

Thank you for your support.

Comments are welcome, we try to respond.

Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the alerts bell!

#varroa #mites #treatingmites #honey #honeybeevideos #howtokeepbees #beehive #beekeeping101 #bohemiabees #varroamite #sustainable #sustainability

[GEEZBEEZ]

Thanks for the information. Enjoyed the video.

[Gallowaylights]

I was waiting for you to pull up the veil 11:01 : )

[lagrangebees]

I see you heard about Randy Oliver's research on Dawn soap being used as a mite release agent. Incredibly useful and much easier than having to look for alcohol :D

[jhulin]

My understanding is that Dawn Ultra is to be used and not necessarily the regular dawn if you want good results At least that is the type of soap that was tested and shown effective by Randy Oliver.

[dcsblessedbees]

No idea why people have problems how other people keep their bees? But I guess some choose to go the other way, "To each their own." Ty Jason for the video great info.

[kathyhathaway]

Hello Jason I here people say to use the Dawn ultra is this Dawn you was using the ultra or do you think any Dawn to be ok or would you say also use the ultra. Thanks for your video’s keep your video’s coming when possible THANKS

[LEATHERNECKPIPER]

Man I gotta know where ya got the beekeeping jacket and veil ?

[SlayingBB]

How often do you get stung doing this?

[williamsummers]

Try a ZEST hive. That will do the trick.

[Swarmstead]

To gather bees (for testing) from the area with the most mites would seem to throw off the supposed infestation percentage. Just something I always found curious. I never test or treat.

[AJENKINS]

That doesn't drawn them ...thats a long shake