>Posted on 27 Jun 1994 at 17:35:17 by Uriacc Mailer (002033)
>
>Re: Mites
>
>Date:         Mon, 27 Jun 1994 14:08:45 -0700
>Reply-To:     Discussion of Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
>From:         Chris Laughbon <[log in to unmask]>
>
>----- Begin Included Message -----
>
>Any advise? How do you inspect for vorroa mites?
>
>Thanks,
>Chris
 
Our local bee inspector has taught us to do an "ether roll" to check for
Varroa.  Using a large jar (mayonnaise jar), scoop  about 300 bees (a
reasonable pile) from the brood chamber.  Using an ether spray (from your
local automotive store--sold as starter fluid), euthanize the bees in the
jar with a spray of ether, put the lid on and roll the jar.  Regurgitated
honey coats the glass and the mites stick to the honey and can be easily
seen.  The mites appear as red pin head sized dots. The recommended count
of 300 bees is sort of a minimum sample size for good randomness.
 
Hope this helps.
 
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
David Clayton; Academic Computing         "On the larger scale of history, the
U. of Rhode Island; Kingston, RI 02881     scythe is really only a few steps
Internet: [log in to unmask]          away from the computer."
                                                  -Living at the End of Time