Functionally, the screened bottom board acts as a gravity-assisted filtration system. When heat treatment causes Varroa mites to detach from honeybees, the mesh floor ensures these parasites fall directly out of the hive environment. This prevents stunned mites from recovering and crawling back onto a host, thereby securing the efficacy of the thermal cycle.
While heat disrupts the physiology of the mite, the screened bottom board provides the necessary mechanical exit. Without it, heat-stunned mites would remain on the hive floor, recover, and re-infest the colony.
The Physiological Impact of Heat
Inducing Detachment
Heat treatment relies on the difference in thermal tolerance between honeybees and Varroa mites. When the hive temperature is raised (typically between 36.5°C and 38°C), the reproductive ability of the mites declines significantly.
The "Stunned" State
Crucially, not all mites die instantly during the heating process. Many are simply stunned or lose their physical grip on the host bee.
Preventing Recovery
If a solid floor were used, these stunned mites would land on the wood, recover as the temperature normalizes, and re-attach to passing bees. The screened board removes this opportunity entirely.
The Mechanical Advantage
A Physical Barrier
The screen acts as a strictly mechanical control layer. It utilizes specific mesh gaps that are large enough for mites to fall through but too small for bees to traverse.
The One-Way Exit
Once a mite falls through the mesh, it physically cannot climb back up to the cluster. This effectively breaks the re-infection cycle by permanently separating the parasite from the host.
Enhancing Clearance Rates
By ensuring that every detached mite is permanently removed, the screened board significantly improves the overall clearance rate of the hyperthermia process. It turns a temporary disruption of the mite (heat) into permanent elimination.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Verification Challenges
A standard screened bottom board allows mites to fall onto the ground, making it difficult to verify the exact kill count. You know they are gone, but you cannot easily quantify the infestation level without additional equipment.
The Need for Supplemental Tools
To track efficacy precisely, you cannot rely on the screen alone. You must pair it with a sticky board or sticky plate placed underneath the mesh to capture and count the fallen mites for data collection.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To maximize the effectiveness of your heat treatment setup, consider your specific objectives:
- If your primary focus is maximum infestation clearance: Ensure the area beneath the screened bottom board is clear of debris so mites fall completely away from the hive environment.
- If your primary focus is efficacy data and monitoring: Place a sticky plate beneath the screened board to capture the falling mites for counting and verification.
By combining the physiological stress of heat with the physical barrier of the screen, you create a system where mites are forced off the bees and permanently exiled from the colony.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Role in Heat Treatment | Benefit for Beekeepers |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh Floor | Allows stunned mites to fall through via gravity | Prevents mites from recovering and re-attaching |
| Mechanical Barrier | Physical separation of parasite from host | Permanently breaks the re-infection cycle |
| Clearance Rate | Ensures every detached mite is removed | Maximizes the efficacy of the thermal cycle |
| Monitoring Potential | Compatible with sticky boards | Allows for precise data collection and mite counts |
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