What do mites look like on SBB tray?

[dtwilliamson]

I know I've seen a topic like this before I just can't seem to find it.

When looking at my pullout trays on the SBB all I can see are bits of pollen, wax, and an occasional bee leg or wing. I'm guessing that I don't really know what I'm looking for. Anyone have any suggestions for HOW to look for them.

There does seem to be quick a bit of debris but mostly pollen. The tray has been mostly orangish from the pollen.

Thanks,

Dan

[Michael Bush]

They are small, like a period on the page. They are slightly oval and purplish brown.
http://www.aginfo.psu.edu/PSA/ws98/bees2.html http://msa.ars.usda.gov/la/btn/hbb/jwh/vrepro/vrepro.htm#varroa9 http://entomology.unl.edu/beekpg/tidings/btid2000/btdjan00.htm#Article2 http://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/acarology/saas/saasp/pdf10/saasp05b.pdf

Here are some pictures.

They will be dark dots on your bottom board that on close examination are all the same purplish brown color and all oval in shape.

[margot]

Mites are much easier to see if you use a magnifying glass.

[dtwilliamson]

Thanks for the links....that certainly helps.... I've got good eye sight but I think I may get a magnifying glass anyway just for better inspection.

[Alex Cantacuzene]

The recognition of varroa depends much on experience. The shape is unique and once I locked onto it it became much easier to find them. I use sliding boards made from white scrap formica from a kitchen fabricator. I coat the boards with the same mineral oil that I use in the fogger. They clean up easily with a putty knife and some rubbing alcohol. I put about a teaspoon full of oil on the board and spread with a hand. It really works for me, but then I realize that I do it only as a hobby. Take care and have fun.

[Michael Bush]

The Brushy Mt. SBB comes with some white corragated plastic "cardboard". I've been buying more of it to use for inserts on my long hives and you could use it as a sticky board on a regular hive.
http://store.yahoo.com/victorystore00/copl.html

[dtwilliamson]

The SBB I have from Kelly's http://go.netgrab.com/secure/kelleystore/asp/product.asp?product=201 has something similar to the plastic cardboard I believe. I haven't put any mineral oil or anything on it. Do I have to put oil or something on it to kill the mites?

[Michael Bush]

Mine ends up sticky from the cappings the bees drop. If you DON'T have a SBB and you want to check for mites you need something to kill the mites that drop on it or they just climb on another bee. But if you have a screen then most should stay on the screen and die without any mineral oil. More might die WITH it.

[Tia]

I finally was able to recognize varroa once I saw one that was still alive & moving on the sticky board. Now I know to look for a sienna colored pencil dot. Their exoskeletons are shiny, so they're easier to find if the sunlight hits them.