A Percent Bar Model Compares A Part To A whole, visually representing proportions. This concept is crucial in various fields, including beekeeping, where understanding the percentage of varroa mites in a honeybee colony is critical for effective pest management. This article delves into the importance of accurate varroa mite monitoring and compares different release agents used in mite washes.
Varroa Mite Monitoring: A Critical Aspect of Beekeeping
Similar to tracking the prevalence of a disease, monitoring the infestation rate of varroa mites in a bee colony is essential. A high mite load can lead to the spread of Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), severely impacting colony health and productivity. The goal is to keep the mite infestation rate, expressed as a percentage of mites per hundred bees, below a critical threshold (around 2-3%). This proactive approach prevents a varroa/DWV epidemic, ensuring a healthy and productive colony.
Accurate mite washes are crucial for determining the prevalence of mites. This involves two key steps: efficient separation of mites from bees using a release agent and accurate counting of the separated mites. Both steps are susceptible to errors, highlighting the need for standardized procedures and trained personnel.
Comparing Release Agents for Mite Washes
The effectiveness of a mite wash hinges on the release agent used. This study compares various release agents, including powdered sugar, liquids with different alcohol concentrations, detergents, and solutions containing known mite irritants. The goal was to identify an agent that consistently yields a high mite recovery rate (at least 95%) with minimal agitation.
Surfactants and Detergents
Bees and mites, due to their water-repellent exoskeletons, tend to float in water. Surfactants, like alcohol, reduce water’s surface tension, causing bees and mites to sink. This wetting action likely disrupts the mites’ grip on the bees. This study investigated the effectiveness of various surfactants and detergents, including Dawn dish soap, Cascade, and Triton x-100, examining their foaming, wetting, and cell membrane disruption properties.
Irritants and Other Agents
The study also explored the impact of irritants, such as those found in Listerine (eucalyptus, mint, wintergreen, and thyme oils), and windshield washer fluid on mite release. The aim was to determine if irritation enhances mite drop.
Key Findings and Recommendations
The research revealed that killing the mites is not essential for their release. Detergents, specifically Dawn Ultra dish soap, proved surprisingly effective, rivaling 91% isopropyl alcohol in mite recovery. Dawn offers several advantages: it is less expensive, non-flammable, and requires less agitation.
Critically, allowing bees to soak in the detergent solution for a minute or two before minimal swirling agitation significantly improves mite drop. This pre-soak allows mites to detach naturally.
Conclusion: Dawn Dish Soap as a Viable Alternative
This study demonstrates that Dawn Ultra dish soap, a readily available and cost-effective option, provides a viable alternative to alcohol for varroa mite washes. Coupled with a pre-soak period and gentle agitation, Dawn facilitates accurate mite counts, enabling beekeepers to effectively monitor and manage varroa infestations, safeguarding colony health and honey production. Regular monitoring, coupled with appropriate treatment strategies, is fundamental to sustainable beekeeping practices.
