The first 3 in 1 varroa monitoring tool
Varroa EasyCheck is a practical tool for easy varroa infestation monitoring on adult bees.
Alcohol wash, sugar roll, CO2 injection… These 3 methods are now available in the same tool. It’s up to you to choose the method that suits you best!
Alcohol wash
Alcohol wash consists of immersing a sample of bees into alcohol and then gently shaking the EasyCheck to detach the phoretic mites so they can be counted.
Advantages: fast and easy, it is recognized as the most accurate, reliable and economical option for beekeepers.1-2
Icing sugar roll
With this method, the bees are rolled with powdered sugar, causing the mites to separate from the bees.
The EasyCheck is then gently shaken, causing the sugar and the mites to pass through the white basket’s holes.
Advantages : Inexpensive and keep the sample of bees alive.
CO2 injection
In the CO2 method, bees and mites are rendered unconscious by exposure to carbon dioxide gas.
The sample of anesthetized bees is then gently shaken in the EasyCheck, causing the mites to fall from the bees.
Advantages: fast and keep the sample of bees alive. Research conducted in Europe indicated results similar in accuracy to alcohol wash.1
How many honey bees must be placed into the Varroa EasyCheck?
There are two lines on the white basket of the Varroa EasyCheck. The lower line corresponds to about 200 bees and the upper line corresponds to 300 bees.
We advise you to take 300 bees to obtain the most accurate results possible. In the case of weaker colonies, you can reduce this number to 200 bees.
You will obtain your infestation percentage by dividing the number of varroa found by 2 (if 200 bees) or 3 (if 300 bees). For example, if you find 5 varroa mites with 300 bees, you have an infestation percentage of 5/3 = 1.66%.
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Need a quick understanding of what Varroa EasyCheck is? This leaflet will give you a super quick explanation so you only have to remember the essentials.
Complete guide summarizing the purpose of mite monitoring, and answering key questions on when and how to use Varroa EasyCheck.
Very complete PowerPoint presentation on infestation monitoring (why and how to do it?) and on the Varroa EasyCheck 3 in 1 tool.
Monitoring for varroa: determining the level of infestation, and using the results to aid in control
The effective recognized monitoring methods, alcohol washes and powdered sugar rolls, utilize a sample of approximately one-half cup of honey bees by volume. The purpose of both of these methods is to separate the mites from the bees in the sample, enabling the tester to count them and estimate the infestation rate in the colony.
Varroa EasyCheck: now available in a “3 in 1” version
Varroa EasyCheck was developed by Véto-pharma in 2016 to provide an accurate estimation of the mite infestation levels in a hive with the alcohol wash method. Recent investigations in our apiary showed that the Varroa EasyCheck can be used equally with the sugar roll and CO2 injection methods as well.
Varroa infestation: why we must monitor hives BEFORE treatment
Varroa monitoring before the end of summer treatment is probably the most overlooked task performed by a beekeeper. Knowing pre-treatment mite loads will provide you with information as to what to expect from your mite treatment.
Controlling varroa infestation remains a priority in spring !
Varroa infestations may be very different from one beehive to another and from one year to the next. A varroa control strategy must be devised on a case-by-case basis and deployed right from the beginning of the season. Click on the article to learn more about it.
References
1- Efficiency of Varroa monitoring methods, the benefits of standardized monitori ng devices. Ludovic de Feraudy, Dr. Ulrike Marsky& Ph.D. Jiri Danihlik. – Apimondia 2019 proceeding.
2- Honey Bee Health Coalition – Tools for Varroa Management 7th edition, Page 7
ESY-46-US-N01-01/22