Sticky or oily bottom board liners function as the critical data retention layer in Varroa mite monitoring. They physically entrap mites that fall naturally from the bee cluster, preventing the sample from being lost to wind or removed by scavenging insects like ants and beetles.
Core Takeaway: Accurate mite monitoring relies on "freezing" the scene of natural mortality. Sticky liners convert a dynamic biological process into a static, countable dataset, ensuring that your count reflects the true number of fallen mites rather than just the ones that happened to stay put.
Ensuring Data Integrity
Physical Immobilization
The primary role of the liner is to secure mites immediately upon contact. Mites dropping from the hive can be light and easily displaced; without an adhesive or oily surface, a significant portion of the "mite fall" would simply be blown away by wind or drafts before you could count them.
Preventing Scavenger Theft
A major threat to accurate monitoring is the presence of scavenger insects, such as ants or necrophagous beetles. These insects actively forage for biomass on the bottom board and will carry away dead mites. The sticky or oily barrier deters these scavengers, preserving the sample for the beekeeper.
Preventing Mite Return
Not all fallen mites are dead; some may simply be dislodged during grooming. The adhesive layer prevents live mites from crawling back up into the hive or latching onto passing bees, forcing them to become part of the mortality count.
The Role in Colony Management
Non-Invasive Assessment
Sticky liners allow for continuous monitoring without opening the hive or disturbing the colony structure. This makes them a cornerstone of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), providing data on infestation levels while maintaining colony stability.
Quantitative Estimation
By counting the trapped mites over a specific period (typically three days), beekeepers can calculate an average daily mite drop. This number is often multiplied by specific coefficients (e.g., 20 to 40) to estimate the total mite population within the colony.
Measuring Treatment Efficacy
During or after chemical treatments, these liners serve as the "scoreboard" for effectiveness. By capturing the surge in mite drop following medication, managers can verify if a treatment effectively knocked down the parasite population.
Understanding the Trade-offs
The Necessity of Screens
A sticky liner cannot function effectively in isolation; it must be paired with a screened bottom board. If bees have direct access to the sticky board, they will attempt to clean it, removing the mites you intend to count or getting stuck themselves. The screen isolates the sample from the bees while allowing mites to pass through.
Temporal Accuracy
A single snapshot is rarely sufficient due to daily fluctuations in mite fall. To minimize statistical noise, liners should typically be left in place for three days. The total count is then divided by three to establish a reliable daily average.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To maximize the utility of sticky bottom board liners, align your usage with your specific management objective:
- If your primary focus is determining treatment timing: Use the daily drop average to calculate total infestation levels and trigger medication only when specific thresholds are reached.
- If your primary focus is genetic selection: Use the liners to measure natural mite fall as a proxy for "grooming efficiency," helping identify queens whose colonies actively remove parasites.
Effective monitoring is not just about counting what falls; it is about ensuring that what falls remains there to be counted.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Role of Sticky/Oily Liners | Benefit to Beekeeper |
|---|---|---|
| Data Retention | Physically traps mites upon contact | Prevents loss from wind or hive drafts |
| Scavenger Control | Deters ants and beetles from removing debris | Ensures the count reflects actual mortality |
| Mite Containment | Prevents dislodged live mites from returning | Increases the accuracy of the total count |
| Treatment Check | Captures mites during/after chemical application | Provides a quantitative score of efficacy |
| IPM Integration | Non-invasive data collection via screens | Monitors health without disturbing the brood |
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References
- Marco Pietropaoli, Giovanni Formato. Evaluation of Two Commonly Used Field Tests to Assess Varroa destructor Infestation on Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Colonies. DOI: 10.3390/app11104458
This article is also based on technical information from HonestBee Knowledge Base .
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