Step
1
Staple
a 3/8" X 1" section of an Apistan® and CheckMite+™ strip
to the center of an index card. Make sure to handle the Apistan® and
CheckMite+™ with gloves. Place the card in the jar with
a section of the Apistan® or CheckMite+™ strip
facing inwards. Replace the solid, round metal section of
the canning jar lid with a piece of wire mesh. The holes
in the mesh
should be large enough to easily let varroa through.
Step 2
Shake bees from one or two brood combs into an up-turned
hive lid, bucket or box. Scoop up 1/4 cup or 2 oz. of bees (~150
bees) and place them into each jar, being careful not to damage
the bees. Screw the lids onto the jars to stop the bees from
escaping. Step
3
Place the jars in an incubator or a warm room (30 °C or 86 °F)
in the dark for 6 hours. Make sure the mesh lids
are not covered so air gets to the
bees.
Step 4
After
6 hours, hold the jar about 10 cm (4 inches) above the piece of white paper
and turn it so the mesh lid is facing downwards. Hit the jar with the palm
of your hand three times. Count the number of mites that fall on the paper.
Step 5
Knock the bees to the bottom of the jar. Remove the index card with the attached
strip and fill the jar half-way with the alcohol or washer fluid. This should
be done outside using gloves. Remove the mesh lid and replace with the original
solid lid for the jar. Shake the jar vigorously for 5 minutes.
Step
6
Remove the solid lid and replace it with the mesh lid. Pour the fluid into
the straining cloth pinned to the bucket. Refill the jar with fluid, swirl
the bees around and pour through the strainer again.
|
500
ml jar with lid (wide mouth pint canning jar)
