?Thanks for the link to
http://maarec.psu.edu/powerpoints/PSsampling.pdf

> The "varroa guy" changes the lid, add two tablespoon full of icing sugar 
> and shakes for a minute. Then invert the jar and shakes on top of the 
> saucer to count varroa drop.

Why is the lid changed?

Also, Gary Reuter emphasizes waiting a minute or two after covering the bees 
with sugar to allow the bees to heat up and to allow the mites to get loose. 
That seems to be key to success.

> ...particularly when the bees have nectar in the crop, the sugar gets wet 
> and the jars get ugly.

Do you wash the jars often, or just let them stay "ugly" until they get too 
caked with sugar to work with?

> The icing sugar must bee really dry or the method doesn't work. We keep 
> the sugar in an hermetic container.

It is tips like this that probably explain why it works for some and not 
others.  Maybe even the brand of sugar could factor in.

Details, details, details...

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