Beekeeping | Is CO2 Mite Testing The Best Thing Ever?

Beekeeping changed drastically with the introduction of varroa mites. Over the last several decades we have develop various methods to test for mites. A new one is CO2. It puts mites and bees to sleep, mites fall off and the bees wake up unharmed. Is it the best thing ever?
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[@leonunlimited7552]

Your "5 seconds" is MAYBE 3...😅

[@yurimig253]

What about doing that to the whole hive then replacing the sheet.

[@anthonypeterson3112]

Was hoping to see how this works before wasting my money

[@gregsmailes4170]

Use the container from the alcohol wash

[@AbdulAziz-mo4ql]

Thank you Mr.David for teaching and helping me here in Pakistan 🇵🇰 through your channel.

[@davethekiwibloke]

I also understand that when the bees are anaesthestised, they can disgorge the contents of their honey crop...the mites can then adhere the resultant sticky mess on the bees themselves or parts of the container and don't drop to the bottom of the container...and if you don't wash and dry the container between tests you can get an increase in the proportional mite count as the stickiness of the container increases. A more comprehensive set of experiments along the lines of what you suggested has shown an inconsistent average of 40% of mites get counted with CO2 vs alcohol wash as per the kits instructions, but you can get a more consistent 70% result if you extend the anaesthetisation and shaking time and are very diligent about counting every mite from every surface and nook in the testing jar.

[@gregsmailes4170]

Greg from Florida says hello

[@KateInTheCity]

Hey David. I've always tested with IPA (alcohol) and I've used all of the chemical treatment methods out there as well as breaking brood cycles through a queen cage. Your channel has convinced me to buy the drone frames and I bought a queen excluder that will hold 2 frames. I'm interested in testing this out so thanks!

[@dongreaux4714]

Coat the bees in powdered sugar it works great, the mites fall off and it doesn't hurt the bees

[@beek]

On of my first videos here in 2008 was about coating bees with powdered sugar way back 15 years ago 😀 And I've made videos comparing how effective powdered sugar is to an alcohol wash. Those videos are informative.

[@SMButler]

Have you compared Dawn Ultra with alcohol for efficacy?

[@beek]

Yes and here’s the video I made: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opmspn-jgsaXgsU

[@williamhesbach4072]

Thanks, David- I'm wondering if when the bees are anesthetized you could wash them with water, for a better count, and not kill them.

[@DennisKenneybees]

I like this method because it does not kill the bees. After the CO2, why not do a quick water wash, not long enough to kill the bees to separate the mites from the bees?

[@tonyt.1596]

I got my C02 tester for $19.00 including 3 extra cylinders.

[@danholtbk7008]

David, unrelated question: Can you think of any reason not to leave robbing screens on all spring, summer, and autumn?

[@vanishedforgotten433]

Well hey at least u put the bees asleep befor u decided to kill them. They dead resting and didnt know what hit them. Sad but alcohol wash is more effective sadly

[@jimm1589]

Its called the safety squint. Effective but definitely has its disadvantages.

[@Drewjober]

Hi David! What is good way to cycle old comb out of active colonies without loosing the brood or honey that’s left on the frames? I’ve done a few things over the years but would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks

[@jodybreeze6893]

“I never read instructions”….. “what’s that red tab do?” 😂😂😂 great video!

[@vanishedforgotten433]

Now what happens? Do u have to kill the hives? Or what do u do to save the bees and get rid of the mites? Isnt there precautions u can take befor the deason starts?

[@paulschaefer5241]

i use the alcohol wash for counting. A recent study shows it may not be a reliable method but as of to date, it is all we have. this still has the same faults as alcohol except maybe it doesn't kill the bees.

[@garyoverman4784]

Thanks David! I am not familiar with queen confinement and wanted to know if you have a video of that. I bought the whole video class series and I am not sure if that is in there or if you have other resources that may help us get to know the details of confinement and how to use green drone comb.

[@bizarrebehavior1974]

David, I don't know if you'll ever see this comment but the instant you shot the CO2 in there and the bees spun around like they were on some carnival ride from hell, a laugh exploded out of me and I spit the food I was eating all over my laptop. Just wanted you to know you made my day. 🤣

[@hankbaker1614]

Great comparison. Thx for doing this.

[@44thala49]

Your videos never disappoint. Great information!

[@richardmadsen3149]

I love it.

[@alanmiller7157]

Get it cheap at a big box store in Bicycle area whole lot cheaper just get you a basketball or football needle and you’re good to go

[@sharonc.2207]

Thank you for this video! On the range of effectiveness compared to CO2 and alcohol, how effective is the powdered sugar method?

[@naturalwitchery]

Wow! That was a big difference!

[@kylefrench7985]

Thank you David. That's a great video! You are always willing to try different approaches to beekeeping. I appreciate your willingness to take the guess work out. Please keep it up!!

[@ChrisTuttlePlant]

If you compare alcohol wash to the actual number of mites (by fully looking at each bee under a scope?) does alcohol consistently get x% of the total mites?

[@tracyblevins8634]

Will the age of the bees give a different mite reading ?nurse bees off the comb vs older drones or forage bees?

[@jessicafairfax_Bens_Bees]

Hoping to make it to EAS next year in Maryland 🤞 it's the same week as my birthday 🎉 I'll be 40 next year! Love all your videos, they have been so helpful to me this past year with my beekeeping. I recommend your KZbin channel to everyone I talk to about beekeeping.

[@christinecontelmo9264]

Lol. Thank you for your video. I really needed the humor. I've been MIA. I have a new granddaughter that I've been watching on a daily basis. I've been inundated with our blueberry farm and unfortunately I didn't get to go to EAS this year. I had to back out last minute due to all of my stress. Today I have the day off and I'm trying to catch up on your videos. Thank you! I've truly missed both you Sheri.

[@diannemiller4754]

This is a great video on mite treatment and control. 😊Thanks David.

[@brianbennett4374]

Great video 😊 Thanks for sharing this with us

[@lyndaeggimann1100]

Thank you as usual. FantStic.

[@gpawoodyshoneyhole]

Where can I get that test kit