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Successful beekeeping keeps colonies healthy and thriving year-round. In order to be successful though, management practices must consist of many facets. Properly timed feedings, requeening, splitting, and disease prevention are but a few of the necessary tasks. However, of all the checkboxes listed on a beehive inspection checklist, monitoring Varroa destructor’s infestation levels is arguably the most important — yet mite checks are also the most commonly forgotten task. This doesn’t have to be with so many fast and simple methods available. Of the many techniques out there, the alcohol wash for varroa mite counts is currently considered the most accurate and is both fast and simple after a bit of practice.

While alcohol washes are easy to do by yourself and require little equipment, I find washes much easier and faster with an extra set of hands. With one person helping, I can test about 10 or so colonies in an hour even when taking my time. Without help, I manage about half that. Try to pick a day when you know the bees should be calm, well-fed, and the weather is stable. Don’t attempt mite counts if robbing has occurred. Calm bees make the process so much easier. However, things don’t always go as planned, so don’t allow less than ideal conditions to keep you from those mite counts.

As for equipment, bee supply stores carry various versions of alcohol wash kits. Kits include a cup-like container that holds 1-2 cups of rubbing alcohol, a strainer that holds the bees in the alcohol while allowing mites to drop through and some way of swirling the bees in the alcohol. However, for those who prefer to DIY, alcohol wash kits are simple to make and various DIY versions are readily found online.

Other equipment needed:
~ rubbing alcohol
~ small plastic tote, preferably with rounded inside corners to assist with scooping up bees
~ ½ c. measuring cup
~ tea strainer
~ glass jar for straining/storing alcohol

Dedicate equipment to mite counts, as propolis sticks to everything and renders cups, jars, and strainers unfit for the kitchen.

Be consistent with the equipment used, the amount of time spent swirling the bees, the location in the hive from which bees were selected, and the counting/recording methods.

That’s all there is to conducting an alcohol wash! It couldn’t be simpler.

Once mite counts are noted, the next step, if not already completed, will be to learn when and how to treat varroa mites. Currently, the recommendation is to keep mite counts below 3% (below 3 mites per 100) with anything higher warranting immediate action. It is also recommended that beekeepers conduct a minimum of four counts per season to monitor for increasing mite loads as the season progresses. However, many choose to monitor monthly from early spring through the first freeze to keep a closer eye on mite counts.

Far too may beekeepers question the necessity of mite counts. However, confirmed mite levels allow the beekeeper to know which hives need treatment, which hives need second and third treatments, which hives are a lost cause, and even which hives exhibit mite resistance — a beekeeper’s dream. Plus, post-treatment mite counts show whether the treatment is effective, mediocre, or failing. As a major bonus, once you become accustomed to checking off that one little box on your inspection list, you’ll see an improvement in bee health and discover that preparing honey bees for winter becomes even easier as the healthier bees are better able to collect sufficient pollen and nectar for the winter while staying strong and healthy. And healthy bees always means fewer losses when all other facets to successful beekeeping are in their proper place.