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Kit includes the following:
$35
$15 for optional Nuc - for shaking bees into and/or storing the kit.
Mite check instructions
1. Gather required equipment. - Mite check container. Ensure it is very clean inside so dirt is not confused with mites.
3. Find a frame containing brood. You are wanting to test nurse bees. Check there is no queen on the frame. This is where it is good to have a marked queen.
4. Shake frame into tub (take out mite check container if this was inside). Worker bees will fly away leaving nurse bees. Check there is no queen. If there isn’t enough bees, repeat with another brood frame, checking there is no queen. If there is a queen in the tub take her out, a queen clip is good for that.
5. Tap bees into a corner of the tub then scoop out the ½ cup of bees and pour into the mite check container. Put lid on rapidly before they escape. Return remaining bees to hive.
6. Shake test container for 15 seconds. Be wary of any leakage.
7. Put container aside. I suggest placing this in the tub/Nuc so that it is safely away from the smoker.
8. When ready, shake test container for another 15 seconds. Wait and then repeat shaking for a third time for 15 seconds. Again, ensure this is away from the smoker.
9. Check for mites. Do this using one of the following methods.
11. Do one of the following with metho if used:
Measuring bottle
The measuring bottle is not a required item but you may choose to use it for one or more of the following:
* Soapy water wash does not kill bees as quickly as metho.
* After adding bees to methylated spirits, shake straight away so bees are euthanised rather than half sitting in solution.
* Metho is highly flammable. If you use this, shake the container away from the hive (away from the smoker). Finish what you need to in the hive then complete the mite check. This reduces you accidentally spilling metho on the smoker.
- Mite check container.
- Measuring cups.
- 1 litre methylated spirits.
- Queen clip.
- Coffee filters.
- Measuring bottle.
$35
$15 for optional Nuc - for shaking bees into and/or storing the kit.
Mite check instructions
1. Gather required equipment. - Mite check container. Ensure it is very clean inside so dirt is not confused with mites.
- Measuring cup/s.
- Tub large enough to shake a frame into without bees falling onto the ground. (Nuc box size as minimum.)
- Metho or soapy water. (150ml or 2/3 cup.)
- Queen clip.
- ½ cup for scooping bees.
- Bees.
- Coffee filter (optional).
3. Find a frame containing brood. You are wanting to test nurse bees. Check there is no queen on the frame. This is where it is good to have a marked queen.
4. Shake frame into tub (take out mite check container if this was inside). Worker bees will fly away leaving nurse bees. Check there is no queen. If there isn’t enough bees, repeat with another brood frame, checking there is no queen. If there is a queen in the tub take her out, a queen clip is good for that.
5. Tap bees into a corner of the tub then scoop out the ½ cup of bees and pour into the mite check container. Put lid on rapidly before they escape. Return remaining bees to hive.
6. Shake test container for 15 seconds. Be wary of any leakage.
7. Put container aside. I suggest placing this in the tub/Nuc so that it is safely away from the smoker.
8. When ready, shake test container for another 15 seconds. Wait and then repeat shaking for a third time for 15 seconds. Again, ensure this is away from the smoker.
9. Check for mites. Do this using one of the following methods.
- Looking up into the bottom of the mite check container.
- Looking down into the container. Remove inner sieve of bees so you can see without them in the way.
- Remove the sieve of bees and pour the contents of the jar through a coffee filter. Put the filter over a jar or jug to catch the fluid. You will see any mites on the coffee filter.
11. Do one of the following with metho if used:
- If the metho is clean, you can save it for another time.
- If not clean you can leave it in a safe place with the lid off and it will evaporate.
- It is not advised to pour down the drain.
Measuring bottle
The measuring bottle is not a required item but you may choose to use it for one or more of the following:
- Storing or measuring metho rather than taking the whole metho bottle out to the hive.
- Mixing metho with water. Add 150ml metho to 25ml water (75% mix). This is a recommended mixture, but you may choose to use 100% metho.
- If you choose to do soapy water wash, you could store the soap in the container or you could pre-mixed soapy water. I suggest floor cleaner as it is low suds. You need l/2 teaspoon soap to 150ml water.
* Soapy water wash does not kill bees as quickly as metho.
* After adding bees to methylated spirits, shake straight away so bees are euthanised rather than half sitting in solution.
* Metho is highly flammable. If you use this, shake the container away from the hive (away from the smoker). Finish what you need to in the hive then complete the mite check. This reduces you accidentally spilling metho on the smoker.