Mite Counting Methods Compared

Accurate mite monitoring is the foundation of effective varroa management. Here are the main counting methods.

Alcohol wash (gold standard):

Collect approximately 300 bees (half cup) from a brood frame

Wash in 70% isopropyl alcohol

Count dislodged mites

Accuracy: highest (95%+ mite removal)

Downside: kills the sample bees

Sugar roll:

Same 300 bee sample

Roll in powdered sugar, wait 2 minutes, shake out

Count mites in sugar residue

Accuracy: moderate (may miss 10-20% of mites)

Upside: bees can be returned to the hive

Sticky board (supplementary only):

Place a board coated in sticky substance under screened bottom board

Count natural mite fall over 24-72 hours

Accuracy: low — only useful for trends, not absolute counts

Economic threshold:

3 mites per 300 bees (1% infestation) is the widely accepted treatment threshold

Some beekeepers use 2% in spring, 3% in late summer

Consistent monitoring matters more than perfection in any single count