Sugar Roll Mite Sampling Kit
Brushy Mountain Bee Farm / Various - Monitoring-Equipment
Overview
The sugar roll is a gentler alternative to the alcohol wash for monitoring Varroa mite loads. Bees are shaken into a jar with powdered sugar, which coats the bees and causes mites to lose grip and fall off. The sugar and mites are then sifted through a mesh screen onto a white surface for counting. Sugar roll kits include a mason jar with a mesh screen lid, powdered sugar, and instructions. The method is less accurate than the alcohol wash but does not require killing the sample bees.
Pricing
$10 - $25 USD
Specifications
| Method | Powdered sugar tumble and screen |
| Sample Size | Approximately 300 bees (1/2 cup) |
| Accuracy | Lower than alcohol wash, approximately 60-80 percent of actual mite load detected |
| Bee Mortality | None; bees returned to colony |
Features
- ✓No bee mortality: sample bees returned to colony
- ✓Good for monitoring without permanent bee loss
- ✓Lower accuracy than alcohol wash
- ✓Simple technique for beginner beekeepers
- ✓Kits available from multiple bee supply retailers