Alcohol wash to check for varroa
 

Unfortunately, the varroa mite is present in NSW. You can detect and monitor varroa levels in your hive by doing an alcohol wash.

This plastic test kit is also useful for soapy water wash. The large space underneath the basket makes it easy to see mites that wash off the bees. 

What is an alcohol wash/soapy water wash?

Alcohol wash, soapy water wash, and sugar shake are currently recommended as the best practice for detecting and monitor mite levels in your hives.

The alcohol wash test can easily be carried out at a routine hive inspection. Nurse bees are shaken about in a solution of alcohol (methylated spirits is fine) to wash off any mites that are present on the bees. Any mites present will be visible at the bottom of the test bottle. 

Soapy water wash is the same, but you use 150mL of water with half a teaspoon of detergent, instead of metho. 

How do I do the test?

• Place about 150mL of alcohol or soapy water at the bottom of the jar. 
• Place a sheet of newspaper or plastic, etc next to the hive you need to test. Some people use a plastic laundry tub.
• Remove a brood frame and check that the queen isn't on it. Then shake the frame out over the newspaper.
• The field bees will fly away immediately. The bees left over are nurse bees, which are more likely to be carrying the mite. 
• Scoop half a cup of bees (approximately 300) into the test jar. There you have it: a bee cocktail. 
• Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. Inspect the bottom of the test jar, lifting it out of the liquid if needed.  
• Repeat the wash two more times. If there are mites present, mite threshold as a percentage can be determined by dividing by three.
• When you've finished the test, you can empty the dead bees out into the newspaper, bag them, and throw them out. 

What does the mite look like?

The varroa mite is oval, red-brown coloured, flat, and around 1mm long by 1.5 mm wide. You can see some pictures here at Bee Aware. You can also watch an information video put out by the DPI, here. 

I just found mites in my hive! What do I do?

The DPI's Varroa Mite Management page is here. Mite detections must be reported to the DPI. 

We stock a number of varroa treatment strips which can be found here. 

As always you can contact our friendly staff if you have any questions about your hives.