The application of specialized insect glue or petroleum jelly creates a critical physical capture layer. This adhesive barrier is essential because it prevents live mites that have fallen—either naturally or due to treatment—from crawling back up into the bee cluster. Furthermore, it protects your data by stopping scavenging insects, such as ants, from removing mite carcasses before they can be counted.
Accurate colony health assessment relies on precise data. The adhesive layer on hive inserts acts as a preservation mechanism, ensuring that every mite that falls remains on the board for counting, effectively eliminating errors caused by mite re-entry or scavenger theft.
Securing the Integrity of Data
To understand why this step is non-negotiable, you must look at the hive insert not just as a floor, but as a scientific trap. The adhesive converts a passive surface into an active data collection tool.
Preventing Mite Re-entry
When mites fall from the bees, they are not always dead.
Many mites drop naturally or are groomed off by bees while still alive. Without a sticky layer to trap them immediately, these mites can simply crawl back up into the colony. This results in an artificially low count, masking the true severity of the infestation.
Deterring Scavengers
A hive bottom insert is an attractive food source for other insects.
Scavengers, particularly ants, will quickly locate and carry away mite carcasses. If the board is not coated in adhesive, you may return to find a "clean" board that falsely indicates a healthy hive. The glue creates a barrier that preserves the evidence until you are ready to count.
The Risks of Omission
While applying a sticky substance may seem like a minor detail, omitting it compromises the entire diagnostic process.
False Negatives
The primary risk of skipping the adhesive is generating a "false negative."
If mites escape or are eaten, your count will suggest the mite load is lower than reality. This often leads to delaying necessary treatments, allowing the infestation to grow unchecked.
Compromised Health Assessments
Colony health decisions are based on trends and thresholds.
If the data integrity is breached by scavengers or escaping mites, your long-term health assessments become guesswork. The adhesive ensures that the number you see on the board accurately reflects the number of mites falling from the colony.
Ensuring Accurate Diagnostics
To get the most out of your mite counting efforts, consider the specific goal of your assessment.
- If your primary focus is natural mite drop: The adhesive is crucial to stop ants from stealing carcasses over the counting period, which ensures your daily average is accurate.
- If your primary focus is treatment efficacy: The adhesive is vital for trapping stunned mites that might otherwise recover and return to the bees, ensuring you measure the true impact of the treatment.
By securing the bottom insert with a simple layer of petroleum jelly or glue, you transform a rough estimate into a precise diagnostic instrument.
Summary Table:
| Feature | With Adhesive Layer | Without Adhesive Layer |
|---|---|---|
| Mite Capture | Permanently traps fallen/stunned mites | Mites can crawl back into the bee cluster |
| Data Integrity | Prevents scavengers (ants) from stealing mites | High risk of 'false negatives' due to theft |
| Diagnostic Value | Accurate reflection of infestation levels | Inaccurate counts leading to delayed treatment |
| Maintenance | Single application per count period | Frequent monitoring needed to avoid data loss |
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References
- İbrahim Çakmak, Stefan Fuchs. Exploring a treatment strategy for long-term increase of varroa tolerance on Marmara Island, Turkey. DOI: 10.3896/ibra.1.52.5.11
This article is also based on technical information from HonestBee Knowledge Base .
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