how crucial is the mite count

[Cuckmere couple]

during varroa treatment

its clear we need to treat each year, beyond that, its important to know if you have a severe infestation to step up treatment i guess but does mite count therefore need to be a routine process

i find it quite hard to get right

 

[madasafish]

I don't count. I just treat

 

[Erichalfbee]

I like to know what's going on so I vape Autumn and Spring to get an accelerated drop. I have always needed to treat in the Autumn but only once in Spring

 

[Murox]

I don't count either but regular treatment should be routine. I vaporise and look at the board a few days later, you can always do a sugar roll/alcohol wash and then do the maths; similarly you can count after vaporising. The important thing is to keep levels under control so that the colony is not unduly stressed or made susceptible to infections etc.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

thanks all

my intention is to treat autumn and spring and monitor for signs of heavier infestation...and then count

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I don't count. I just treat

 

[Swarm]

A few, quite a few, a lot and flippin' loads. When doing OAV, I check the boards to see if numbers are falling, usually I will check for natural drop just prior to treatment, to be aware of any to keep an eye on.