> >Can someone give the volume of bees necessary to get 300 bees for an
> alcohol
> wash?  A measurement in cups would be helpful.  Also, how much alcohol is
> needed.  Can the alcohol be filtered and reused?  Is there an optimal
> location in the hive from which to sample the bees?
>

All good questions, Bill!

A half cup of bees runs about 310 bees (during a nectar flow, with their
abdomens somewhat distended).

Enough alcohol to cover them about double, so that the mites have enough
liquid to slosh off easily.

I filter the alcohol through a coffee filter to reuse, but you lose a fair
amount each wash.

Sample from the broodnest, making sure (obviously) that you don't get the
queen.  If you wish to be very careful, you can shake the bees from a brood
frame, and put it above an excluder for a few minutes for the nurse bees to
climb up and cover it.

Randy Oliver

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