> I believe you must use a screen to ensure that the bees do not clean
> out the debris as is their wont. I understand that it is important that
> the mite fall count be accurate, since treatment is dependent on mite
> fall and time of year.... Place a sheet of plywood under the screen to
> which you have affixed a sheet of paper
 
Well, we have been using White Koroplast(r) and Pam(r).  which are a
plastic imitation of corrugated cardboard and a spray cooking oil
respectively.
 
'The Koroplast can be wiped and re-used any number of times, and the Pam
is liquid enough to come off easily.  We have been laying a sheet of 6
mesh hardware cloth over the board and pushing it into the entrance.
 
Nonetheless, I am wondering how much bees removing debris is going to
affect the results, and if it is predictable -- at least on an overall
average basis.  Since we are dealing with -- or hope to, if we can
simplify the process -- large numbers.  Obtaining individual hive results
are not important to us.
 
The screen is the major nuisance and expense in the project.  Moreover, we
heard a recent case where a respected authority fooled himself into
thinking a clean operation had mites by re-using a screen that may have
had a varroa or two hung up in it.
 
So, I am asking the inventive enquiring minds here on BEE-L if they think
I could somehow eliminate the screen -- or greatly simplify the screens.
 
Allen
 
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