Screened bottom boards and sticky boards function as a synergistic unit that provides both mechanical pest control and essential diagnostic data. While the screened board acts as a physical filter to separate parasites from the colony, the sticky board captures these parasites to quantify the severity of the infestation.
Core Takeaway By combining a physical barrier with a capture mechanism, this setup breaks the Varroa mite re-infection cycle and provides the quantitative data—specifically the "average daily mite fall"—needed to evaluate treatment efficacy without introducing chemicals or disturbing the colony.
The Mechanics of Physical Control
The Filtration System
The primary function of the screened bottom board is to act as a mechanical sieve. It is typically equipped with a 3mm (approx. 1/8 inch) mesh screen.
This specific mesh size allows Varroa mites that have been dislodged—either naturally or through treatment—to fall through the bottom of the hive. Crucially, the mesh is tight enough to prevent honey bees from passing through or coming into contact with the waste and mites below.
Breaking the Re-infection Cycle
Without a screen, mites that fall off bees often land on the solid hive floor, where they can crawl back up and re-attach to a host.
The screened bottom board ensures that once a mite falls, it drops completely out of the hive or onto a collection tray. This prevents the parasite from returning to the colony, effectively reducing the overall mite population without the use of chemical agents.
Precision Monitoring and Data Collection
Securing the Sample
The sticky board (or sticky insert) is placed beneath the screen and coated with a substance like vegetable oil or a specialized adhesive.
This sticky surface is vital because hive ventilation and the wings of the bees generate significant air currents. Without the adhesive force, dislodged mites could be blown away by wind or vibration, rendering any attempt at counting them inaccurate.
Quantifying Infestation Levels
The sticky board transforms the bottom board from a simple trash chute into a diagnostic tool. By trapping every fallen mite, it allows beekeepers to calculate the average daily mite fall.
This metric is essential for Integrated Pest Management (IPM). It helps managers assess the current infestation level and determine if a threshold has been reached that requires intervention.
Evaluating Treatment Efficacy
Beyond passive monitoring, sticky boards are the standard tool for validating active treatments.
After applying a mite-control agent, beekeepers count the drop rate on the sticky board to verify that the treatment is working. A high drop count post-treatment confirms that the agent is effectively dislodging mites from the bees.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Passive Control vs. Active Eradication
While screened bottom boards reduce the mite load mechanically, they are rarely sufficient as a standalone cure for a heavy infestation. They are a tool for reduction and monitoring, not total eradication.
Maintenance Requirements
The mesh and the sticky board require regular maintenance. The screen must remain clear of debris to function as a filter, and the sticky boards must be replaced or cleaned to maintain their adhesive properties and legibility for counting.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To utilize these tools effectively, align your usage with your immediate objective:
- If your primary focus is passive reduction: Ensure the screened bottom board remains open and clear of debris so mites fall out of the hive and cannot return.
- If your primary focus is infestation analysis: Insert the sticky board for a set period (e.g., 24-72 hours) to calculate the daily drop rate, ensuring the adhesive covers the entire area under the cluster.
- If your primary focus is treatment validation: Install a clean sticky board immediately before applying a treatment to capture and count the "mite kill" rate.
Use the screened board to constantly lower pressure on the colony, and the sticky board to inform your decisions on when to intervene.
Summary Table:
| Component | Primary Function | Key Mechanism | Benefit to Hive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screened Bottom Board | Mechanical Filtration | 3mm mesh allows mites to fall through while keeping bees in. | Breaks the re-infection cycle without chemicals. |
| Sticky Board | Diagnostic Monitoring | Adhesive surface traps dislodged mites for accurate counting. | Provides quantitative data (daily mite fall) for IPM. |
| Synergistic System | Integrated Management | Combines physical removal with treatment validation. | Enables data-driven decisions on colony health intervention. |
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References
- Qodratollah Sabahi, Ernesto Guzmán‐Novoa. Evaluation of Dry and Wet Formulations of Oxalic Acid, Thymol, and Oregano Oil for Varroa Mite (Acari: Varroidae) Control in Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies. DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaa218
This article is also based on technical information from HonestBee Knowledge Base .
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