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The way to use the nonlethal “sugar shake” solution to test a yard residential beehive for a varroa mite infestation.
Varroa mites are one of the vital largest threats to the well being and long-term viability of a beehive.
For the ones folks who stay honeybees within the yard, you will need to do regimen per month tests for varroa to be sure that all is easily along with your winged pals!
“Sugar Shake” Check for Varroa Mites
On this newest video added to my playlist on beekeeping, I exploit what is named the “sugar shake” approach for a varroa mites test.
This system is taught by way of the Institute of Meals and Agricultural Sciences on the College of Florida. (1)
The sugar shake is a nonlethal, nonharmful solution to safely test your hive for a varroa mite infestation.
It comes to 4 steps:
- Accumulate a part cup of bees from a brood body (be sure that the queen isn’t in this body first).
- Coat the take a look at bees with 2 tablespoons of powdered cane sugar and allow them to take a seat for five mins.
- Gently shake the sugar onto a white floor and depend the collection of dislodged mites. 3 or fewer mites is regarded as a “go”.
- Safely go back the take a look at bees to the hive.
Execs
The main good thing about the sugar shake is that this can be a fast and simple approach for newbie and novice beekeepers to stay tabs at the well being of the hive.
Every other large plus is that the take a look at is risk free and nonlethal to the take a look at bees.
Cons
The one downside of the sugar shake approach is that it’s much less correct in humid climate.
It’s because a prime moisture content material within the air reasons the powdered sugar to clump, leading to a much less correct outcome.
This drawback is well remedied by way of appearing the take a look at within an air conditioned construction.
Merely seize the take a look at bees in a jar and transfer within a climate-controlled room to behavior the rest of the take a look at.
Failed Check?
If the take a look at for varroa mites fails, then remedial motion to keep watch over the over the top varroa mites is a good suggestion.
This video on find out how to safely deal with a yard beehive for varroa mites supplies extra main points.
Every other selection is to transition to brood frames with smaller hexagonal cells, akin to what can be present in wild honeybee colonies. A little analysis means that this will lend a hand to short-circuit the varroa mite lifecycle with out a hurt to the hive. It is a preferred method by way of beekeepers who espouse a hands-off approach for controlling varroa. (2)
There are different choices to imagine for secure, nonlethal varroa keep watch over akin to the use of a screened backside board (which I exploit). (3)
Every other thought is to make home made pollen patties for the bees to offer additional vitamin. A powerful hive is of course proof against any infestation together with varroa. That is one thing I’m going to make use of myself and can be overlaying in a later submit and video! (4)
(1) Institute of Meals and Agricultural Sciences on the College of Florida
(2) An Built-in Pest Control Technique to Regulate Varroa Mites
(3) A Meta-Research Displays That Display screen Backside Forums Can Considerably Cut back Varroa destructor Inhabitants
(4) How To Save you And Regulate Varroa Mites In Your Hive
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