Varroa Monitoring Tools

Varroa monitoring tools: CO2 testers and alcohol-wash kits for measuring the mite load in a bee colony.

Measure first, then treat

Treating "blind" wastes money and stresses the bees — a mite count tells you whether the colony actually needs help. The standard method: shake about half a cup of bees (roughly 300) into a tester with a CO2 capsule or wash fluid and count the dislodged mites. More than 3 mites per 100 bees in mid-season is a signal to treat without delay.