Uncapping Fork Wooden Handle

VarroCheck

To ensure the health of your bee colonies, it is necessary to monitor and control the levels of Varroa mites regularly. If you're unsure how to monitor Varroa infestations in your bees, VarroCheck is the answer. VarroCheck is an accurate and reliable Varroa shaker, ready to use whenever you need to check the health of your bees.

Key Features:

• Highly effective, with mites falling through the filter and easily counted
• Quick and easy to use – monitor your entire apiary in minimal time!
• Easy maintenance
• Mess-free
• Suitable for the CO2, powdered sugar method, or alcohol use
• Durable, economical, and long-lasting
• Seals airtight without leaks

What is VarroCheck: Vita recommends regular monitoring of Varroa infestations. At the very least, this should be done at the beginning of the beekeeping season, before, during, and after any Varroa treatment. VarroCheck offers an effective and accurate way to quickly monitor Varroa levels in your hive.

How to Use VarroCheck:

1. Remove the lid from the bottle and use the measuring cup to add a cup of diluted alcohol (1 part isopropyl alcohol to 4 parts water) into the test bottle.
2. Select two or three frames from the center of the brood area (preferably with open brood) and carefully check for the queen. Do not use the frame if the queen is present.
3. Shake the bees from the frame into a large container, allowing the forager bees to fly away, leaving only the nurse bees.
4. Use the measuring cup to collect a full measure of bees (about 300 bees) and place them in the bottle, closing it.
5. Gently shake the bottle to wet the bees and kill the Varroa mites.
6. Open the lid and add enough alcohol solution to cover the bees. Close it again and shake the bottle gently, avoiding foam formation.
7. After one minute, open the lid and lift the mesh basket, shaking off as much liquid as possible as you lift it.
8. Look through the transparent bottle and count the number of Varroa mites. Divide this number by 3 to calculate the infestation percentage (i.e., if you count 6 Varroa mites, 6 divided by 3 = 2, so the infestation percentage is 2%).
9. Check the acceptable infestation percentage depending on the hive's condition and the season, and take appropriate action.

Advantages of VarroCheck:

• Economical: durable and long-lasting.
• Effective: fast and accurate infestation rates.
• Simple: flexible and easy to use.