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Last Spring, we observed a significant mite drop within the first three days after installing our package bees in the apiaries at PSU. These observations suggest that the simple action of installing packages can effectively reduce varroa mites in newly established colonies. Our hypothesis is that when package bees are sprayed with sugar syrup, they tend to increase grooming, and as a result remove a large proportion of the mites that they came with. We are conducting a citizen science project to investigate the role of sugar syrup in reducing mite numbers after package installations. We are hoping to recruit beekeepers to test our hypothesis this coming April.
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Objective
The goal is to engage beekeepers to independently test the efficacy of reducing varroa mites in package bees after applying sugar syrup.
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Participant requirements
- The project will span in total 4 days upon the arrival of bee packages
- Participants must be willing to use between 4 and 10 packages to be part of the study
- Participants must follow the installation protocol
- Hives cannot be treated with a chemical substance immediately before or during installation
- Participants must be able to both identify and be willing to count varroa mites using a sticky board
- In total, installation will require 10-15 minutes per colony and 3-7 minutes per sticky board to count the mites
- Colonies must be established in standard 8-frame or 10-frame langstroth hives
- Screened-bottom boards are preferred however screens-covers to protect the sticky boards while inside the colony can be provided
- There are not any restrictions on feeding or frame-foundation; the bees may be supplemented with feed such as sugar syrup or honey immediately after installation
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Treatment and Control Packages
After receiving the packages, each participant should divide them into two groups of equal number of colonies: control packages and treatment packages.
- Treatment packages: The packages will be sprayed with one part water to one part sugar syrup before being vigorously shaken into the hive
- Control packages: Will NOT be sprayed with any substance and will be shaken directly into the hive
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Varroa Mite count
We will provide all participants with sticky boards
- On the first day before installation of the packages, insert a sticky board coated with Vaseline
- On the third day, carefully remove the sticky board making sure not to remove any Vaseline upon removal
- Only count the number of mites on the white squares
- Enter the data into a survey in which I will provide to all participants
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Participants can download the detailed package installation protocol HERE or please email us
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If you would like to participate please contact us at lopezuribelab@gmail.com or complete the following FORM
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