To calculate the 24-hour average Varroa mite drop, you must capture a sample over a multi-day period to ensure statistical accuracy. Coat a gridded sticky board with vegetable oil and insert it beneath the hive's screened bottom board. After exactly three days, count the total number of mites and divide that figure by three to derive the daily average.
The goal of this procedure is to normalize the data. By averaging the mite drop over three days, you smooth out daily fluctuations caused by weather or colony activity, resulting in a more reliable metric for assessing infestation levels.
Executing the Procedure
To obtain an accurate count, you must follow a strict protocol regarding preparation, timing, and calculation.
Preparing the Board
Start with a stiff gridded board designed for mite counting. Coat the surface with vegetable oil, which acts as the trapping agent.
While vegetable oil is the standard recommendation, you may also use cooking spray or petroleum jelly. The objective is to create a surface sticky enough to hold the mites but clear enough to see them.
Placement and Duration
Slide the prepared board into the slot on the underside of a screened bottom board.
The mesh screen is critical; it allows mites that naturally fall off the bees to drop through to the sticky board while preventing the bees from crawling on the adhesive.
Leave the board in place for three full days. Do not disturb the hive during this period, as vibration can artificially increase the drop count.
Calculating the Average
After 72 hours, carefully remove the board. Systematically scan the grid and count every Varroa mite adhered to the surface.
Take the total count of mites and divide by three. This final number is your average 24-hour natural mite drop.
Understanding the Trade-offs
While sticky boards are a fundamental tool in beekeeping, you must understand their limitations to interpret the data correctly.
Passive vs. Active Monitoring
This calculation measures natural mite fall, which is a passive indicator of the total mite population.
It does not directly measure the percentage of bees currently carrying mites (phoretic mites). Therefore, it may lag behind the actual infestation growth curve compared to active methods like alcohol washes.
Debris Interference
The screened bottom board allows hive debris, such as wax cappings and pollen, to fall alongside the mites.
High levels of debris can camouflage the mites, making accurate counting difficult. This is why a gridded surface is essential—it allows you to scan small sections at a time to avoid missing targets.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
The 24-hour average is a trend indicator. How you use this number depends on your immediate management objectives.
- If your primary focus is non-invasive monitoring: Rely on the 3-day average to track population growth over the season without killing any bees or disrupting the queen.
- If your primary focus is immediate treatment decisions: Use this average as a trigger; if the count rises sharply, consider verifying the severity with a secondary testing method before applying chemical treatments.
Consistency in your counting method is the key to detecting the subtle trends that signal a colony in danger.
Summary Table:
| Step | Action | Key Tool/Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Coat gridded board with vegetable oil or spray | Stiff gridded sticky board |
| Placement | Insert board under screened bottom board | Screened bottom board mesh |
| Duration | Leave undisturbed for exactly 72 hours (3 days) | Multi-day period for accuracy |
| Counting | Scan grid systematically for Varroa mites | Grid pattern to manage debris |
| Calculation | Total Mites ÷ 3 Days | 24-hour daily average |
| Metric Type | Passive natural mite fall monitoring | Trend indicator (non-invasive) |
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