Sticky Board

jdpro5010 · February 01, 2010, 04:30:40 PM

I have been using the alcohol wash to test for mites but have been wondering about using a sticky board due to its ease of use. What method do you all prefer or feel is the best test?

Kathyp · February 01, 2010, 04:59:40 PM

i use the OS test. if i pull the bottom board off and it makes me say OH SH@&#, i have to many mites.

are you going to treat if you have high mite counts?

jdpro5010 · February 01, 2010, 08:45:17 PM

What I generally do is check once in mid to late summer and treat as necessary. The sticky board just seems to make that process a whole lot easier. In the past I used alcohol but it seems to becoming more of a hassle than it was in the past :-D!

ONTARIO BEEKEEPER · February 01, 2010, 10:56:38 PM

I do the same as kathyp, for keeping an eye on mites.

I don't like killing a bunch of bees in alcohol, If I have to I prefer dusting sugar all over them.

the kid · February 01, 2010, 11:05:08 PM

kathyp ,,,,,,,, I use that method for a lot of things .

Michael Bush · February 02, 2010, 01:51:51 AM

Why not powdered sugar shake? You don't have to kill the bees then...

David LaFerney · February 02, 2010, 10:55:47 AM

Sliding in a sticky board for 24 hrs, and then taking a look at it is pretty danged easy if you are set up for it. They don't really have to be all that sticky - one shot of PAM lasts for a long time.

Right now I'm just leaving the boards in all the time, and when I want a count I squeegee off the gunk the day before.

Finski · February 02, 2010, 01:09:01 PM

.
I know that mites are there. I do not count or search them, I just kill them.