Varroa Destructor Mite Wash Method, landing board check, what varroa mites look like, mite spotting!

Yesterday, May 1st, I posted a video showing a package of Saskatraz honey bees that arrived dead.

I decided to do a wash of the dead bees in order to see if they may also have carried varroa destructor mites with them.

Since the bees were already dead, no harm in mite-checking.

Some very savvy viewers questioned the method, specifically if the strainer I used for the separation of bee bodies from the varroa mites might just be too small.
I appreciate that observation and decided to do this video in order to prove the method and also show what varroa destructor mites look like among normal bottom board debris.

I hope you find it helpful!
Remember that this kind of mite-search is not considered a mite-counting method for those desiring to determine if their colony of honey bees may require treatment. These are the mites that accumulated in this tray from November 2020 to May 2021.

When you are doing bottom board clean outs in spring, you can collect those dead bees and wash them with this method. You'll get an idea regarding the mite-load that your honey bees may have had when winter set in.

This method also works for those not wanting to do sugar rolls, or alcohol washes. You would collect 1/2 cup of nurse bees from your brood frames, dump them into a glass jar of hot water with Dawn dish soap already in solution. This is great for backyard beekeeping, not at all practical for the commercial beekeepers for many reasons.

This method kills the honey bees instantly, and even without agitation varroa mites will fall from the bees and die. Randy Oliver discovered that the Dawn Dish Soap shown in this video achieves mite drop levels "without agitation" at a rate much higher than alcohol. Based on tests and observations with LIVE honey bees.

I invite you to read more about this method at Scientific Beekeeping -

[thehiveandthehoneybee]

" Hey mr dunnn I dont think you know what your doing!!!" Mr dunn pauses "hold my smoker" and makes another video lol... LOVE THIS CHANNEL

[LarryLeesBees]

Thanks for clearing that up Fred (not that I doubted you). It just cracks me up that as long as you’ve been doing this, that there are still folks out there that question your methods or results.
You give it to us straight every time and I appreciate you for that. Have a great day Sir.

[John-ymht]

Thank you for taking the time to share. If I spot enough mites on my bottom board that makes me have to kill a handful of bees to wash, I want the method to be simple, very acurate and repeatable. This is all those things.

[angelacross]

You are a true scientist Frederick. Always beware of confirmation bias. Equipoise for the win.

[russellkoopman]

You did a solid job there Fred. My thought (though it is probably wrong) was that the mites settled in the bottom and the bees were on top. So when the bottom liquid was poured through the mass of bees some mites could have lodged on the bee parts. But since they are dead mites they may wash out quickly - not sure. Guess you can tell I spent to much time in college listening to the prof. Like you said it isn't a mite count, it is observing if there are mites. Thanks for all you do Fred, you are highly respected.

[halleluyah]

Lol - "For those of you who are concerned, no, we don't eat off of it." me: Wow! Look at all those spots! Oh wait... I need to clean my computer screen... Thanks for your great videos, Fred. Blessings!

[anitasetter]

Have been watching your channel for a couple years now and am trying to figure how all of this works. This question is out of sequence but would love to have your opinion. I am having some new kitchen cabinets made and was wondering if that Eco Wood treatment would be a good or bad idea? You seemed to be impressed with it and I am all about low maintenance...Anita

[rickabrams]

have you considered doing a masterclass? your cinematic skills, calm voice, education and experience would be a crazy X? part series?

[joeheeney]

Fred, You overfilled your colander filter, despite your saying not to. Please review.

[cbbees]

The only good Varroa Mite is the one that is dead as a door nail.

[HaselorHoney]

Very interesting, thank you for sharing

[dwightcarter]

So this was a mite wash of live bees not bottom board scrapings ?? Assuming all theses mites were on the bees... Does the chewing of the mites not kill the mites and cause them to drop off?

[BRGRSN]

Hi.
Another great video. Just one question why Dawn? What is so special about that liquid?
Thank You
Robert Kajor, Essex, UK

[justducky]

Can you tell if the mites missing appendages are damaged due to OA or to being chewed off?

[trishwestberg]

If you use solid bottom boards, how do you count varroa mites?

[robertmathurin]

I need A Magnifying glass like yours Mr Dunn, , 🇱🇨👍🏿♥️😁, , Thanks For The update..

[absolutelyfearless]

Since insects breath through their abdomens I think that they suffocated in the green jelly

[Jerfish]

Now, make some coffee with that and see the taste difference ;)

[mihaiilie]

I never felt the need to do sugar washes or alcohool wash( cruel, inacurate and non ethical in my opinion -not politically corect 😂), because in past 5 years ive only seen just 5 varroa mites on the bottom board left for a long time, on all the beehives put together.
Could be that i treat well and without even counting varroa or the fact that i had small cell bees that were more varroa resistant.
Even with such low varroa count i still treated all the beehives once a year in late autumn.
Bee eater birds just arrived yesterday from Africa and it seems they will starve this year because there are not manny bees left( i lost mein too).