Screened bottom boards and sticky boards serve a dual function: they act as a mechanical barrier to reduce mite populations and a diagnostic tool for precise infestation monitoring.
The screened bottom board replaces the solid hive floor with a mesh that allows Varroa mites to fall out of the colony, physically preventing them from crawling back onto host bees. The sticky board, inserted beneath this mesh, traps these fallen mites to prevent loss from wind or ventilation, providing a tangible record for beekeepers to count and analyze.
Core Takeaway While screened bottom boards provide a small degree of mechanical pest control by isolating fallen mites, their primary value lies in monitoring. They transform the hive floor into a non-invasive data collection point, allowing you to quantify infestation levels and verify treatment efficacy without disturbing the colony.
The Mechanics of Physical Separation
The Function of the Mesh Screen
The core of the screened bottom board is a metal mesh, typically around 3mm in size. This specific dimension is critical: it is large enough to allow dislodged mites and waste to pass through, yet small enough to provide a secure floor for the honey bees.
Preventing Re-infestation
In a standard solid-bottom hive, a mite that falls off a bee can easily crawl back up and re-attach to a host. The screened board eliminates this opportunity. By allowing mites to drop through to the ground or a collection tray, it acts as a mechanical control tool that passively reduces the overall parasite load.
The Role of the Sticky Board in Monitoring
Securing the Data
A sticky board—often coated with substances like vegetable oil—is placed beneath the screen to capture the falling mites. This adhesive surface is essential because hive ventilation and bee activity create air currents that could otherwise blow the light mite bodies away.
Calculating Mite Fall Rates
By trapping every mite that falls, the sticky board allows for a quantitative assessment of the average daily mite fall. This data is crucial for determining if the infestation has reached a threshold that requires immediate chemical intervention.
Evaluating Treatment Efficacy
Sticky boards are the primary tool for verifying if a treatment worked. Following the application of miticides, beekeepers use these boards to collect and count the "treatment drop." This provides concrete proof of the total mite load removed from the hive.
Non-Invasive Hive Management
Preserving Colony Structure
Unlike other monitoring methods (such as alcohol washes) that require killing a sample of bees, sticky boards are non-invasive. They allow technicians to analyze population trends and seasonal spikes without opening the hive or disrupting the colony’s internal structure.
Continuous Monitoring
Because the system does not disturb the bees, it allows for long-term data collection. Beekeepers can track natural mite mortality over specific periods to gauge the colony's hygienic behavior and ability to suppress Varroa mites naturally.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Passive vs. Active Control
While screened bottom boards contribute to mite reduction, they are a passive mechanical tool. They aid in suppression but generally cannot replace active chemical or organic treatments for high infestation levels.
Reliability Factors
The accuracy of the data depends on the sticky board's ability to retain the sample. If the board is not sticky enough or is left too long (becoming covered in debris), the count may become unreliable. Precision relies on the adhesive force effectively countering wind and vibration.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To get the most out of this hardware, align its use with your specific management objective:
- If your primary focus is Routine Monitoring: Use the sticky board to calculate the "natural daily drop" to decide when to treat, rather than treating on a blind schedule.
- If your primary focus is Treatment Verification: Insert a fresh sticky board immediately after applying a miticide to confirm the chemicals are actually killing the parasites.
- If your primary focus is Mechanical Control: Leave the screened bottom board open (without the sticky insert) during non-monitoring periods to allow mites to fall to the ground and perish.
By using these tools correctly, you shift from guessing about mite levels to making informed, data-driven management decisions.
Summary Table:
| Component | Primary Function | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Screened Mesh (3mm) | Physical barrier/separation | Prevents fallen mites from re-attaching to bees |
| Sticky Board | Data collection & trapping | Enables precise mite counting and treatment verification |
| Mechanical Control | Passive population reduction | Lowers parasite load without chemical use |
| Diagnostic Use | Infestation monitoring | Non-invasive assessment of colony health |
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Effective Varroa management starts with the right equipment. HONESTBEE provides commercial apiaries and distributors with high-quality, durable beekeeping tools designed for professional performance. From precision-engineered screened bottom boards to specialized honey-filling machinery, our comprehensive wholesale portfolio supports every aspect of your business.
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