Mite counting 101

[sc-bee]

I read a lot of the post about mite counting the pros and cons. I used sticky boards and tried to review different post as a comparison to threshold plotting curves etc. Do you literally have to count a whole board. How do large beekeepers keep up with this and monitor there counts? ( I'm sure on a percentage base of hives). I also understand S.C. will eliminate a lot of the mite problem. But not set up for that yet.
What I would like to know is the best thing to grease a board with, best way to count ( I heard mention of what I think was referred to as a Dakota board). How do you make this board and use it etc.?
What is the best method to monitor mites if not the board?
Thresholds etc.?

I guess you would say a Mite Count and Monitor lesson 101!!!

Sorry if I rambled--I'm headed out to nite shift and in a hurry.

Thanks
Steve

[Hook]

I use the 1/2 measuring cup, and powdered sugar method. (sugar roll) I take a frame of bees, preferably a brood frame, and shake it into a dish pan. Take the measuring cup, and scoop one half cup into a mason jar,(approx. 300 bees) lid being fitted with some 8 mesh screen wire. Dump some confectioners sugar into the jar. The bees should look like powdered donuts. Shake the jar side to side for 15-30 seconds. Shake the sugar out evenly into the empty dishpan. The mites will begin kicking after about 10 seconds. Count how many you have. If you have more than 12, you have a problem.

[Hook]

[ December 06, 2006, 05:20 PM: Message edited by: Hook ]

[Michael Bush]

>What I would like to know is the best thing to grease a board with, best way to count ( I heard mention of what I think was referred to as a Dakota board).

It doesn't really matter. Just do it the same way everytime.

> How do you make this board and use it etc.?

Some people use white cardboard. Some use the corrugated plastic (like the political signs are made of). Some take contact paper and put it either under a SBB or put some hardware cloth on it so the bees don't get stuck. I just have the white corrugated plastic with nothing on it at all.

>What is the best method to monitor mites if not the board?

The board works the easiest, IMO, but a sugar roll works ok too. Uncapping drones is useful too.

>Thresholds etc.?

I'm more interested in trends than thresholds.