{"product_id":"varrocheck-varroa-mite-testing-kit","title":"VarroCheck Varroa Mite Testing Kit","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVarroCheck\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e is a simple, accurate, and reusable Varroa mite testing tool designed to help beekeepers measure mite levels before they become a serious problem. Its transparent container and internal filter basket make it easy to separate mites from your bee sample, count them, and calculate your colony’s approximate infestation rate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eIt can be used for either an \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ealcohol wash or sugar shake\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e, although we recommend an alcohol wash when an accurate mite count is the priority.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy Test for Varroa Mites?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOne of the biggest mistakes a beekeeper can make is waiting until a colony \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003elooks\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e like it has a mite problem.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBy the time you see obvious signs of Varroa-related stress, the colony may already be struggling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eRegular testing gives you an actual number to work with, allowing you to make treatment decisions based on what’s happening inside your hive rather than guessing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWe recommend monitoring throughout the season and especially \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ebefore and after Varroa treatments\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e. Testing beforehand tells you whether intervention is needed, while testing afterward tells you whether your treatment actually worked.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTest. Treat. Verify.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy We Like VarroCheck\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eQuickly measures Varroa mite levels\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eTransparent container makes mites easy to see and count\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eInternal filter basket separates mites from the bee sample\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eDesigned for approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e300-bee samples\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eWorks with alcohol washes or sugar shakes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eReusable, durable, and easy to clean\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eCompact enough to keep with your regular inspection equipment\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eMakes calculating your approximate mite percentage simple\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow to Perform an Alcohol Wash\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eChoose \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003etwo or three frames from the brood nest, preferably containing open brood\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e, where you’re likely to find plenty of nurse bees.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eMost importantly, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003efind the queen first.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Never collect your testing sample from a frame containing the queen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eShake the bees from your selected frame into a clean tub and allow the older foragers to fly away. Collect approximately \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e300 nurse bees\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e using the included measuring cup and place them into the VarroCheck.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAdd your prepared alcohol solution according to the VarroCheck instructions, then gently shake and roll the container to thoroughly wash the sample and dislodge the mites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAfter approximately one minute, remove the internal mesh basket. The bees remain inside the basket while the dislodged Varroa mites fall into the clear container below, where they can easily be counted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eUnderstanding Your Mite Count\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWith an approximately 300-bee sample, calculating your infestation percentage is easy:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e3 mites = approximately 1%\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e6 mites = approximately 2%\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e9 mites = approximately 3%\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSimply divide the number of mites counted by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e3\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e to estimate the percentage of sampled adult bees carrying mites.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eTreatment thresholds can change depending on the season, colony conditions, and local recommendations, so the important thing isn’t simply getting a number. It’s understanding what that number means \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eat that point in your beekeeping season.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDon’t Guess. Test.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eA colony can look strong, have a productive queen, and be packed with bees while Varroa populations are quietly increasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eRegular mite testing allows you to catch that pressure earlier, choose an appropriate treatment when necessary, and then verify that the treatment actually reduced your mite population.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eFor something that can have such an enormous impact on colony health and winter survival, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ea mite test only takes a few minutes.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eKeep a VarroCheck in your bee kit and make mite monitoring part of your regular colony management.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eKnow your number. Keep Your Hive Alive. 🐝\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAlways follow current VarroCheck instructions and local recommendations when monitoring and managing Varroa mites.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Homer's Honeybee","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46639663186022,"sku":null,"price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0648\/2647\/4598\/files\/vita-varrocheck.jpg?v=1787584183","url":"https:\/\/homershoneybee.com\/products\/varrocheck-varroa-mite-testing-kit","provider":"Homer's Honeybee","version":"1.0","type":"link"}