Hi all treatment free beekeepers.  How about helping me collect data on the
actual mite levels in your hives over the course of the year?

Here's the simple protocol:
Alcohol wash is most accurate.  Can do with only a level 1/3 cup of bees,
which is slightly over 200 bees.  Follow procedure at
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/sick-bees-part-11-mite-monitoring-methods/

The sample should be taken from the same place in the hive each time--I
prefer the first non-brood frame adjacent to brood, since less chance of
getting a queen.

Samples should be taken each month, at about the same time of month.  All
samples from the same hive(s), and kept track of for hive number.  Two or
more hives would be most desirable.

Such results would allow me to plot the mite population curve for the year
in your hives, which would be of great interest for nontreated colonies
that survive.

Record hive number(s), date, and mite count for each sample.

Send me the data and location after you have collected for a year.

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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