3 ms·
Whilst not as effective as an alcohol wash, a sugar shake will show you some number of varroa, without killing (m)any bees. At the very least it'll show you if
by Jedd 3y ago
Whilst not as effective as an alcohol wash, a sugar shake will show you some number of varroa, without killing (m)any bees. At the very least it'll show you if you've got lots of mites in your hive, but might report a false negative at low numbers.
- cryptonector 3y agoI've done more sugar shakes than alcohol tests. Besides powdered sugar being a mite test, it's also a mite treatment because a) it triggers hygienic behavior in the bees and that helps them get rid of mites, and b) it makes it harder for mites to hold on to the bees.