Noah Vinter
Alcohol washing is a quick and effective method for detecting the presence of parasites and monitoring mite levels in a bee colony. It is an important step in keeping your bees healthy and involves monitoring mite levels on a monthly basis to determine the severity of mite infestations. The process involves selecting a sample of bees, usually around 300 nurse bees, and placing them in a jar with alcohol. The jar is then shaken vigorously for at least 60 seconds to dislodge any mites, after which the mites are counted and the bees are discarded or returned to the hive. The test is accurate and fast, but it is important to note that it kills the bees being tested.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To monitor Varroa mite populations in honey bee colonies |
| Materials | 70% Ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, measuring cup, bee brush, brood frames with nurse bees, small mason jar with lid, shallow plastic tub, colander |
| Procedure | Measure 1/2 cup of alcohol, select brood frame with nurse bees, gently roll jar down the frame to collect bees, shake vigorously for at least 60 seconds, pour into colander over tub, check for mites |
| Notes | Repeat process up to 3 times, count mites, monitor mite levels regularly, record data, retain alcohol for future washes, compare data with surveys and statistics |
| Alternatives | Soapy water (2 tbsp Dawn dish soap per gallon of water), detergent water, powdered sugar, ether, CO2, sugar roll, sugar shake, drone uncapping |
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What You'll Learn
Materials needed for an alcohol wash
An alcohol wash is an effective method to monitor Varroa mite infestations in honey bee colonies. To perform an alcohol wash, you will need the following materials:
- Alcohol: Ethanol or isopropyl alcohol with a concentration of at least 70%. You will need enough alcohol to fill your container to the desired level, usually around 250 ml or 1/2 cup.
- Container: A small mason jar or similar container with a lid. The container should be large enough to hold the desired amount of bees and alcohol comfortably.
- Measuring cup: To measure the required amount of alcohol and ensure consistency in your washes.
- Bee brush: A soft-bristled brush specifically designed for handling bees. This is used to gently brush bees into the container without harming them.
- Brood frames: One or more brood frames containing nurse bees. It is important to inspect the frames for the presence of the queen bee before proceeding.
- Shallow plastic tub: A larger container to catch the bees after they have been washed and to collect the mites.
- Colander: Used to strain the bees from the alcohol, allowing the mites to be collected in the tub.
- Funnel and coffee filter (optional): Some methods suggest using a funnel and coffee filter to strain the mites from the alcohol, ensuring effective mite collection.
It is important to have all the necessary materials ready before beginning the alcohol wash process to ensure the safety and well-being of the bees.
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Steps to separate mites from bees
Alcohol washes are an effective way to separate mites from bees and determine the mite infestation rate. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to perform an alcohol wash to separate mites from bees:
Step 1: Prepare the necessary materials and equipment
You will need 70% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, a measuring cup, a bee brush, one or more brood frames with nurse bees, a small mason jar with a lid, a shallow plastic tub, and a colander.
Step 2: Measure the alcohol and collect the bees
Measure 1/2 cup of ethanol or isopropyl alcohol and pour it into the small mason jar. This will be your "fill line" to determine how many bees you need. Select a brood frame with plenty of nurse bees, as mites prefer riding on younger bees. Gently roll the jar down the frame, being careful not to squish the bees. Stop when the bees reach the fill line and are just barely covered in alcohol.
Step 3: Agitate the bees in the alcohol
Place a lid on the jar and agitate the bees by shaking, rolling, or swirling them vigorously for at least 60 seconds. This will help loosen the mites from the bees.
Step 4: Strain the mixture and count the mites
Place a mesh lid on the jar and turn it over, directing the alcohol through the mesh into a second container. The mesh will retain the bees but allow the mites to flow onto a white pan or container, making it easier to count the reddish mites against the white surface.
Step 5: Repeat the process if needed
Agitate the bees again for 3-5 minutes and pour the alcohol and mites into a white pan for counting. Repeat this process until no more mites are washed from the sample.
Additional Tips:
- It is important to monitor mite levels regularly (monthly is ideal) to determine the severity of mite infestations and decide if treatment is necessary.
- Always wear appropriate protective gear when handling bees, such as a beekeeping suit, gloves, and a veil.
- To maintain the accuracy of the test, ensure that you choose the sampled bees consistently and correctly in terms of their location and number.
- You can also use powdered sugar or non-foaming windshield washing fluid instead of alcohol for mite inspection.
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How to identify the queen bee
While the queen bee is often imagined to be very distinct from other bees, she does not stand out as much as you might think. She has a different body shape from the rest of the colony, but picking her out from a crowd of thousands of bees can be challenging. Therefore, it is essential to learn how to spot the queen bee to ensure the survival of the hive. Here are some tips on how to identify the queen bee:
Appearance
The queen bee typically has a longer abdomen and longer legs than worker bees, giving her a more elongated appearance. Her wings are shorter in proportion to her body and do not cover the full length of her abdomen, unlike worker bees. The queen bee may also exhibit a slightly different coloration, often with a darker hue or a more golden colour. While colour can vary, queens often have a caramel colour with black stripes or are dark black and brown.
Behaviour
The queen bee walks slower and moves differently from worker bees. She may be surrounded by a circle of bees, known as her attendants, whose job is to feed her, groom her, and take out her waste. If you pull out a frame with eggs, the queen was likely there recently, and you may find her on that frame or the next one. Additionally, queens may make a piping noise to call out to other recently hatched queens.
Markings
Some beekeepers mark their queens with a dot of paint or a small cut on the wing to indicate the year the queen was born. This makes it easier to identify the queen bee, especially when she blends in with the comb or has worn off her original marking over time.
Practice
Queenspotting is a skill that develops over time with practice. It is recommended to open the hive every 5-7 days and make it a priority to find the queen each time. With experience, you will better identify the unique characteristics of your queen bee and improve your beekeeping confidence.
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Counting mites
Firstly, you will need to gather your equipment: a Varroa EasyCheck or Varroa Mite Test Bottle, a beekeeping suit or jacket, gloves, a veil, a 70% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol mixture, a measuring cup, a bee brush, one or more brood frames with nurse bees, a small mason jar with a lid, a shallow plastic tub, and a colander.
Next, you will need to collect a sample of bees. A sample size of 200-300 bees is recommended, which is approximately half a cup. The bees with the highest mite loads are likely to be the nurse bees caring for the open brood, so select a frame at the outer edge of, or just outside, the brood area. Ensure the queen is not on the frame, then gently brush the bees into the jar until they reach the fill line and are just covered in alcohol.
Once you have your sample, swirl the jar constantly for 2-3 minutes to loosen the mites from the bees. Then, tip the jar to strain the liquid and mites from the bees, shaking lightly to dislodge any remaining mites. Hold the jar up to the light to help you count the mites. You can use a fine paintbrush to help visualise the mites and ensure an accurate count.
Finally, record your results. It is a good idea to keep written records of mite levels to monitor infestation over time and evaluate treatment efficacy.
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Advantages of an alcohol wash over other methods
Alcohol washing is a method used to detect honey bee parasites and pests, such as the Varroa mite. It involves collecting a sample of approximately 300 bees and washing them in alcohol. This process is repeated a few times to effectively dislodge and extract mites from the bees. While alcohol washing is a valuable technique, it is important to consider its advantages and disadvantages compared to other methods available for mite detection. Here are some advantages of using an alcohol wash over other methods:
Sensitivity and Accuracy
Alcohol washing is considered more sensitive and accurate than other methods like sugar shake or drone uncapping. It provides a higher volume of mite recovery, making it a more reliable option for detecting infestations. This sensitivity is crucial for early detection and proactive mite management.
Speed and Efficiency
Alcohol washes are known for their speed and efficiency. They are faster than sugar shakes because the tested bees do not need to be returned to the hive. Additionally, the process of rolling or shaking bees into a container and then vigorously shaking them in alcohol is relatively quick and straightforward. Regular alcohol washes also improve one's skill in collecting samples and performing the test accurately and efficiently.
Ease of Use and Standardization
Alcohol washes can be easily performed by beekeepers, even at home. The use of portable hand agitators further enhances the ease of use by standardizing the process. These agitators automatically perform a specific number of swirls in a set time frame, eliminating the variation in hand agitations and ensuring consistent results.
Sample Collection and Sacrifice
While the alcohol wash method does result in the sacrifice of the tested bees, it is important to consider the philosophy behind beekeeping. Bees inherently sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the hive, and the loss of a few hundred bees is negligible compared to the overall health of the colony. Additionally, a queen bee can lay up to 1,000 to 1,500 eggs per day, ensuring a quick replacement for the bees lost during testing.
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Frequently asked questions
An alcohol wash is used to detect the presence of parasites like Varroa, Motal, and Tropilaelaps mites in honey bee colonies.
The process involves shaking a sample of bees into a jar containing alcohol, then vigorously shaking or swirling the bees in the alcohol for at least 60 seconds. The liquid is then poured through a filter to separate the mites from the bees, and the mites are counted.
The materials needed include a measuring cup, bee brush, brood frames with nurse bees, a small mason jar with a lid, a shallow plastic tub, a colander, and 70% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol.
