At 5:42 in the background there looks like some short plants with yellow blossoms. That isn't dandelions already is it? We've been stuck in a cold cloudy windy weather for 3 days now. Got 1/2" of snow with the high yesterday of 37 F and today it got to 42. Hope my bees don't go backwards too far. It looks like you're having some good weather for your monster hives. Do you always find the queen before doing a mite check? I find a frame with larvae and check that frame about 3 times then shake it into the pan, let the foragers fly off and then check the pan again before getting my scoop. Should I just bear down and find the queen first?
No not dandelions, I think its called Coltsfoot. For the sake of the video and those who fear hurting the queen I show how it would be done but myself I may do as you do if I'm in a hurry!
great video, Peter! Couple of questions. How often will you do this with your colonies (once a month?) Can you please post a link for the wash cup? EasyCheck?
Dont bother trying to see the mites through the plastic bowl. Drain the fluid back into the bottle leaving a few mm in the shaker. Look down into the open bowl to count the mites. Varroa are very heavy and will not flow into the bottle with the fluid. If concerned or you do not believe me the do 20 hives from the same container of alcohol, recycling the alcohol each time then at the end of the day strain the boittle and check for mites that poured with the fluid. there will be no whole mites, maybe a few shells. Trying to count mites through the plastic bowl by holding it up to the light will only lead to incorrect counts.
@@BeekeepingwithTheBeeWhisperer No sweat. Keep an eye out for the Paper Tape Staple Its patented in the USA and when it gets to you guys it will change beekeeping. Randy knows of it
Thanks for the demo! Next time you should try the BeeScaning app and find the mites with your camera and AI! Works great!
I have dificulty enough using it as a phone and camera! ;)
@@BeekeepingwithTheBeeWhisperer HAHAHA
At 5:42 in the background there looks like some short plants with yellow blossoms. That isn't dandelions already is it?
We've been stuck in a cold cloudy windy weather for 3 days now. Got 1/2" of snow with the high yesterday of 37 F and today it got to 42. Hope my bees don't go backwards too far. It looks like you're having some good weather for your monster hives.
Do you always find the queen before doing a mite check? I find a frame with larvae and check that frame about 3 times then shake it into the pan, let the foragers fly off and then check the pan again before getting my scoop. Should I just bear down and find the queen first?
No not dandelions, I think its called Coltsfoot. For the sake of the video and those who fear hurting the queen I show how it would be done but myself I may do as you do if I'm in a hurry!
great video, Peter! Couple of questions. How often will you do this with your colonies (once a month?) Can you please post a link for the wash cup? EasyCheck?
Thanks, Sampling each apiary once a month is a good target.
@@BeekeepingwithTheBeeWhisperer thanks, that was what I was thinking. What about that cup that you use? Where did you buy it?
@@HothamsApiary Called varroa easy check I sell them in my store.
When first at starting off with hives as a beginner, when should we start testing for mites? Within 3 months? Or wait till next year
absolutely in first year, within 2 months
Dont bother trying to see the mites through the plastic bowl.
Drain the fluid back into the bottle leaving a few mm in the shaker.
Look down into the open bowl to count the mites.
Varroa are very heavy and will not flow into the bottle with the fluid.
If concerned or you do not believe me the do 20 hives from the same container of alcohol,
recycling the alcohol each time then at the end of the day strain the boittle and check for mites that poured with the fluid.
there will be no whole mites, maybe a few shells.
Trying to count mites through the plastic bowl by holding it up to the light will only lead to incorrect counts.
Great suggestion, The bowl goes opaque after a while anyway...Thanks
@@BeekeepingwithTheBeeWhisperer
No sweat.
Keep an eye out for the Paper Tape Staple
Its patented in the USA and when it gets to you guys it will change beekeeping.
Randy knows of it