Week 14, twelfeth hive check

Today I did my third alcohol wash to test for Varroa mites.  I am happy to report that both hives are in good shape.

A good test result is fewer than 9 mites per 300 bee sampling (1/2 cup of bees), or less than 3%. If your test returns are under 3%, then your hive is in good shape…for the time being! The end of August is a critical time. This is when the bee population starts to decline as it heads toward winter and Varroa mite population starts to increase. Will test again next month.

July 22, 2016 Mite check
Hive 2
Alcohol wash: 4 mites. Tested from Box 1 Frame 5

Hive 1
Alcohol wash: 5 mites. Tested from Box 1 Frame 5

 

Adult bees with deformed wings resulting from Deformed Wing Virus. Photo credit: Katherine Aronstein
Adult bees with deformed wings resulting from DWV (Deformed Wing Virus) which is spread by the Varroa mite. Photo credit: Katherine Aronstein. Source: articles.extension.org

 

 

Varroa mite life cycle. Source: www.extension.org
Varroa mite life cycle. Source: www.extension.org