Mite-A-Thon Continues Through Aug. 28

Beekeepers can participate in a North American effort to collect varroa mite infestation data in honey bee colonies.

Mite-A-Thon is a North American effort to collect varroa mite infestation data in honey bee colonies. All beekeepers can easily participate by testing their hives for mites, creating a rich distribution of sampling sites in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. This initiative has provided a platform for beekeepers' associations to engage newer members and re-familiarize long-time members with proper varroa mite monitoring techniques. It has also opened the conversation on management practices, initiating a dialogue between beekeepers.

Participants monitor the level of varroa mites (number of mites per 100 bees) using a standardized protocol utilizing two common methods of assessment (alcohol wash or powdered sugar roll). Participants then enter data through the MiteCheck mobile app or to MiteCheck.com. Responses include location, total number of colonies, number of colonies tested, local habitat, and the number of varroa mites counted from each hive. The published information will not identify individual participants.

Beekeepers can report varroa data to MiteCheck.com.