>Are you saying that a powdered sugar shake seems to be as accurate an >indicator as an alcohol wash? I've heard various opinions. I rather like >the idea of a sugar shake which leaves the bees alive as apposed to an >alcohol wash which disposes of around three hundred bees (I have a soft >heart). Gary Reuter was a speaker at ESHPA last weekend and he gave a presentation on using powdered sugar for a shake. He says their method is quite accurate, and frankly, in my application of alcohol wash I have seen variability, particularly where the bees or the alcohol are cool, so I think a lot comes down to the operator. Anyhow, his method was to measure 300 bees into a pint mason jar. A screen is then screwed on, replacing the tin part of the lid. The screen is coarser than window screen, but the mesh is small enough that bees don't get through. (6 or 8 mesh?) two tablespoons of icing sugar is added and the jar is rotated and shaken until the bees are all coated with sugar. The jar is then inverted over a white saucer and left 1-2 minutes and then shaken again so the mites drop out. When no more mites come out, then the mites are counted. If too much sugar in the saucer makes counting hard, then add a little water to make the mites easier to see. He indicated they have calibrated this method and it compares well with alcohol wash and takes about the same time. I am also assuming that, ideally, a few jars would be used so one can sit while another is being prepared. After all is done, the bees can be added back to the hive and go about their business. *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at: http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm