Screened bottom boards function as a passive filtration system for the hive. They utilize a specific mesh gauge that permits dislodged Varroa mites to fall through gravity into a protected collection tray, while simultaneously physically blocking worker bees from accessing and removing the debris.
By separating fallen mites from the colony's cleaning activities, these boards provide accurate, quantifiable data on natural mite mortality. This allows for the assessment of infestation levels without invasive hive inspections.
The Mechanics of Passive Monitoring
The Filtration Mesh
The core component of the system is a fine-mesh screen, often with a specific aperture (such as 3mm). This size is critical: it is large enough to allow dead or naturally dislodged mites to pass through unobstructed.
However, the mesh is small enough to act as a physical barrier to the honeybees. This prevents the bees from entering the space below the screen, ensuring the colony remains contained within the hive body.
The Collection Zone
Beneath the screen lies a collection tray or bottom board insert. This component captures the debris that falls through the mesh, including the mite carcasses.
To enhance accuracy, this tray is often paired with a sticky board (e.g., a white card coated in Vaseline) or a metal sheet. The adhesive surface traps the mites, preventing them from crawling away or being displaced by hive vibrations, while the white background provides the high contrast needed for easy counting.
Eliminating Hygienic Interference
Honeybees are naturally hygienic and will remove debris, including dead mites, from the hive floor. If bees had access to the fallen mites, they would carry them out of the hive, making an accurate count impossible.
The screened bottom board facilitates monitoring by isolating the debris field. Because the bees cannot reach the tray to clean it, the "natural mite drop" remains undisturbed until the beekeeper removes the tray for inspection.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Passive vs. Active Monitoring
This method relies on natural mortality, meaning it only counts mites that fall off bees on their own. While this provides a good baseline for infestation trends, it does not give a direct count of the total mite population currently attached to bees or inside brood cells.
Dependence on Sticky Agents
Using a plain tray without an adhesive can lead to data loss. Without a sticky agent like Vaseline, mites may crawl away or be blown off the tray before they are counted. Accurate monitoring requires the combination of the screen and a sticky capture surface.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To effectively utilize screened bottom boards for biosecurity, consider your specific monitoring objectives:
- If your primary focus is Non-Invasive Diagnosis: Rely on the screened board to monitor trends over time without opening the hive, minimizing stress on the colony.
- If your primary focus is Quantitative Data: Ensure your collection tray uses a high-contrast sticky surface (white card with Vaseline) to prevent carcass loss and ensure an accurate count.
- If your primary focus is Treatment Timing: Use the natural mortality rate found on the tray as a quantitative basis to decide when chemical control protocols are necessary.
Consistent monitoring of the collection tray transforms invisible parasitic pressure into actionable data.
Summary Table:
| Component | Function | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Filtration Mesh | 3mm aperture allows mites to fall while blocking bee access | Isolates debris for accurate counting |
| Collection Tray | Captures fallen mites and hive debris | Provides a central point for inspection |
| Sticky Board | Uses adhesive (Vaseline) and high-contrast surface | Prevents mite escape and improves visibility |
| Passive Monitoring | Tracks natural mite mortality over time | Non-invasive assessment of infestation trends |
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References
- Linde Morawetz, Robert Brodschneider. COLOSS B-RAP Expert Evaluation of Beekeeping Advice From ChatGPT, Part 1. DOI: 10.1080/0005772x.2024.2348305
This article is also based on technical information from HonestBee Knowledge Base .
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