All;
I have been mite sampling using the alcohol wash. Thanks to Randy for the
instructions to use ½ cup of bees and 2/3’s cup of alcohol. I like to
re-use the alcohol and I must admit I have a little trouble distinguishing
the number of mites swirling around in the bottom of the rinsate jar. I set
up a 2 gallon plastic bucket with a large colander (cheap wire tea strainer
type) in which I drop a single coffee filter. I shake the bees and alcohol
and pour the mix into the coffee filter. The mites really stand out against
the filter and the alcohol filters through pretty cleanly. I re-use the
alcohol multiple times. By-the-way, I am using the Amrine/Noel formic/HBH
fumigator board ( http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/varroa/FormicAcid.pdf) with
good results. I found one 20 mite hive Friday, fumigated it overnight with
85 ml of 50% formic and got zero mites on the Saturday re-sample.
Bill Lord
Louisburg, NC
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