Randy Oliver Mite Wash Cup designed by Randy Oliver of ScientificBeekeeping.com
Ergonomic varroa mite sampling cups used to take a sample of a varroa mite sample of a bee colony, to determine mite infestation level.
Kit Includes:
1 Fluid Holding cup
1 Bee Sample Cup
2 Lids (1 is a spare)
How to use the Randy Oliver Mite Wash Cup :
- Place the perforated cup inside the solid cup.
- Fill the cups 2-3/4″ full of either Dawn Ultra dishwashing detergent (1 Tbs to 1/2 gallon of water) or 90% rubbing alcohol.
- Take a sample of a level 1/2 cup of bees from a frame adjacent to, but not containing brood (avoiding drones) and dump it into the sampling cups.
- Immediately put the lid on the cup.
- Let the bee sample sit for 1 minute to allow for the mites to release from the bees.
- Then gently swirl the cups for at least 30 seconds to allow the mites to precipitate through the bees. Swirl to resonate with the wave, just enough
- so that the bees at the bottom are gently tumbling.
- Remove the lid, and lift the perforated cup out and dump the bees.
- Count the mites that have settled on the bottom of the solid cup (easiest to view looking down on a 6″ 10x magnifying mirror placed 4″ below the cup).
- We suggest taking action if the mite count is over 1 in the springtime, 6 during the summer, and zeroing the infestation by the autumn equinox to allow rearing mite-free brood to form the winter cluster.
Randy Oliver References:
An Improved, but Not Yet Perfect, Varroa Mite Washer
Refining the Mite Wash : Part 4 Comparing the Release Agents
Varroa Mite Sampling, Varroa destructor, Varroa Sampling, Mite Infestation
