Mite Count Logging & Trends Guide

The Mite Counts page is your monitoring hub. Regular, consistent mite counting is the single most important practice in varroa management.


Logging a count:

  • Select the hive and counting method (alcohol wash, sugar roll, or sticky board)
  • Enter the count result (mites per 300 bees for wash/roll methods)
  • The dashboard automatically compares against the treatment threshold

    • Understanding the indicators:

  • Green: Below threshold — no immediate treatment needed
  • Yellow: Approaching threshold — schedule a recount in 1-2 weeks
  • Red: Above threshold — treatment recommended

    • Trend tracking:

    The dashboard shows mite count trends over time for each hive. Rising trends warrant earlier action even if the count is still below threshold. Falling trends after treatment confirm efficacy.


    Monitoring schedule:

  • Spring: baseline count within 2-3 weeks of first inspection
  • Summer: every 4-6 weeks during production season
  • Pre-treatment: always count before treating
  • Post-treatment: count 7-14 days after treatment removal to grade efficacy
  • Fall: final count to confirm winter-readiness

    • Remember: A late mite count is always better than a skipped one. Consistency matters more than perfection.

    Related Articles

    Getting Started with the DashboardManaging Your Hive RosterTreatment Tracking & Efficacy Guide

    Still need help? Ask VarroaVault AI — click the chat bubble or press Cmd+J