A large cardboard box measuring approximately 24 x 24 x 20 with a cup or
two of powdered sugar poured into it will rid a hive of most of its
phoretic mites. Three of the four covers on the box are closed. A frame is
taken from the hive and held down inside the opening of the box as the bees
are brushed off. The fourth cover on the box is then closed while another
frame is taken from the hive. Open the box’s cover and brush those bees
into the box. Close the cover. Do this for each frame of the hive.
Occasionally shake or roll the box back and forth while the covers are
closed to make sure the bees (and the mites) get a fine dusting of powder.
When finished open the box, shake it some more, and watch the bees come
flying out looking like little bee ghosts. Many of the bees will remain
clustered on the sides of the box. Pour these onto some hardware cloth. A
screened bottom board works good for this. The sugar and mites will fall
through the screen. The bees on the screen can then be poured back into the
hive. It takes a bit of time, maybe half an hour to an hour, but for
someone with a few hives it’s an effective non-chemical way to rid the bees
of their phoretic mites. Two people working together can speed up the
process. If the queen has been caged for a time to interrupt the brood
cycle, most mites will be gone from the hive.

Regards,
Dick Allen

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