The primary function of a screened bottom board is to act as a non-invasive, physical diagnostic tool for assessing Varroa mite infestation levels. By utilizing a specific mesh structure, these boards allow mites that naturally detach from bees to fall through the screen onto a collection tray. This enables beekeepers to accurately quantify the parasite load without needing to open the hive or disturb the colony.
Core Takeaway: Screened bottom boards transform pest management from guesswork into a data-driven process. They provide the empirical evidence required to determine whether chemical or biological intervention is necessary, ensuring treatments are applied only when infestation thresholds are met.
The Mechanics of Passive Diagnosis
Utilizing Natural Mite Fall
Honey bees naturally groom themselves, and hive vibrations occur during normal activity. These actions cause a percentage of Varroa mites to detach from their host bees.
Screened bottom boards are designed to capitalize on this natural tendency. Rather than trapping the fallen mites inside the hive, the board captures this "natural drop" for analysis.
The Separation Principle
The effectiveness of this tool relies on a specific mesh aperture structure. The screen openings are large enough for mites to pass through but too small for bees to follow.
This physical separation ensures that once a mite falls, it lands on a monitoring tray beneath the screen. This prevents the parasite from re-entering the colony and causing secondary infections.
Converting Observation into Action
Non-Invasive Assessment
Traditional hive inspections can be disruptive and stressful for the colony. Screened bottom boards allow for the collection of vital health data without "cracking the lid."
By sliding out the collection tray, a beekeeper can perform a count of the fallen mites. This provides an immediate snapshot of the colony's current parasite load while the bees remain undisturbed.
Data-Driven Decisions
The raw data collected from the board serves as the foundation for Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Beekeepers use these counts to compare against established economic thresholds. If the mite count is low, treatment can be delayed; if high, the data validates the need for chemical or biological control methods.
Understanding the Trade-offs and Limitations
Passive vs. Active Monitoring
While screened bottom boards are excellent for tracking trends over time, they rely on natural mite fall.
This is distinct from "active" methods, such as the standardized wash method, where bees are agitated in a solution to dislodge mites. Wash methods often provide a more precise "mite per 100 bees" ratio but are lethal to the sample bees.
Physical Control vs. Diagnostics
It is important to distinguish between monitoring and curing. While the screen does physically remove mites that fall, breaking their lifecycle, this alone is rarely sufficient to control a heavy infestation.
The board should be viewed primarily as a diagnostic instrument rather than a standalone treatment solution.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To effectively utilize screened bottom boards in your apiary management strategy, consider your specific objectives:
- If your primary focus is routine monitoring: Use the sticky board insert to count daily mite drops, establishing a baseline trend without disturbing the bees.
- If your primary focus is treatment timing: Use the count data to trigger interventions only when specific thresholds are crossed, reducing unnecessary chemical exposure.
By systematically monitoring the natural mite fall, you shift from reactive crisis management to proactive colony health maintenance.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Passive Monitoring (Screened Board) | Active Monitoring (Sugar/Alcohol Wash) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Trend tracking & natural mite fall data | Precise mite-per-bee ratio calculation |
| Colony Impact | Non-invasive; zero disturbance | Invasive; requires sample bee collection |
| Data Type | Empirical baseline for IPM decisions | Immediate snapshot of infestation load |
| Bee Mortality | None | Lethal (for Alcohol Wash) |
| Main Benefit | Continuous, data-driven assessment | Highly accurate threshold verification |
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References
- Tamara Hribernik, Aleš Gregorc. Understanding Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Colony Losses: A Multifactorial Perspective. DOI: 10.18690/agricsci.22.1-2.4
This article is also based on technical information from HonestBee Knowledge Base .
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