How To Count Varroa Destructor Mites with the Powdered Sugar Shake Method. Step by Step.

This is a video demonstration that many of my viewers have asked for, so here you go. I've found through the years that the sugar shake method, when done this way, demonstrates mite counts on par with Alcohol Wash or Dawn Ultra dish soap. The advantage is that the bees used for the count don't die... well, they don't die right away. After an interview with Dr. Robyn Underwood, it's my understanding that we think the bees are unharmed, but may only live a few weeks past the test/roll experience. You can see that interview here:    • Interview with Dr. Robyn Underwood of Penn...   If doing lots of tests in a short amount of time, then Dawn Ultra Free and Clear is my recommendation. Varroa mites that you shake off of your bees can still live for several hours to a couple of days apart from the bees, so please get them far away from your bees. DWV - Deformed Wing Virus is evident in some of these bees, so a high varroa load is suspected, but that did not prove to be the case. 05:33 You'll see clearly that some new bees have deformed wings. I will be monitoring for mites weekly in these two hives. I would not make splits from these colonies based on the appearance of the brood frames. For those who need to know more about Sugar Shake as the varroa mite count method and how it compares to other methods: DEEPER DIVE: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/10/... PRODUCTS USED IN THIS VIDEO ARE LISTED BELOW - These may be affiliate links, and I may earn from qualifying purchases. If you don't want to use the links, just a google search should lead you in the right direction. Varroa Mite counting kit, this is not the specific kit I use in this video, but it's close: (no compensation received for my recommendation) https://www.betterbee.com/pest-manage... I use BUN Coffee Filters for my mite counts no matter what method I use to release the mites from the bees: https://amzn.to/3NFikMB These are the colanders I use to support my coffee filter for washing mites: https://amzn.to/3pCxaM3 I hope you find this video helpful!