STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS FOR USING THE “DOWDA METHOD”

FOR VARROA MITE DETECTION AND CONTROL

Directional use of 10x powdered sugar to control varroa mites:

For best results, the hives should be placed on a 1/8-inch hardware cloth, (screened) bottom board, allowing mites to fall to the ground.

Items needed:

• Sifter of some type (tea strainer) or flour sifter works well.

• Bee Brush.

• Measuring Cup.

• Cardboard or poster board to insert or slide into the hive entrance to catch sugar and mites to determine mite level.

Place the insert into the hive before you use powdered sugar.

If the hives have two brood boxes, break hive down to the lower box, sift 1 cup of powdered sugar over the brood frames.

Brush sugar off top bars to allow the sugar to fall down on the bees.

Replace the other brood box and distribute powdered sugar in the same way.

Wait 5 minutes or longer and pull the insert out and look for mites.

Many mites on the insert equals a high mite level.

If high mite level, the hive will require sugar again in a day or two.

Some beekeepers do this bi-weekly during the spring for several weeks to elimi-nate the Varroa population, then once a month after that.

You can sugar the hive more often if you wish to do so.

Do not leave insert in the hive, pull it out once you determine the mite level and use it on the next hive to be sugared.

Should you have any questions, comments or need further clarification, please con- tact Tom Dowda at dowdat@doacs.state.fl.us or you may call him at (352) 372-3505 extension 451.

This table was published in the November 2005 issue of the American Bee Journal