Alterntive method to count the mites

[Greg V]

1. Get an old CD case (the old, thick design; about 5mm of space inside; this is a great spacing because it holds the bees in place nicely tight and prevents them from turning)
2. Get a sample of predominantly young bees into the case (not discussing how - well known; watch the video below too); basically just get the case pretty full - about 100 bees
3. Lock the case.
4. Take a picture of the the front
5. Take a picture of the back
6. Release the bees
7. Done with this sample collection
8. The actual counting is done on the computer screen later.

Advantages:
1. No waste of bee-life
2. Quickly collect many samples
3. Do the actual counting in-house later at your convenience
4. Can capture additional documentation in the photos - writings/signs/etc
5. The forensic documentation is immediately digitized for later user/arching/re-examining/error-checking/etc
6. The actual bees pictured are part of permanent documentation (an important detail in itself)


Disadvantages:
1. OK, takes work mite counting directly on the bees (but that's what zoom is for); need to count something anyhow, like it or not.
2. Unsure really - go ahead and discuss.... I'd like to hear what is wrong with this method

The idea is not mine.
Here is the original 7-minute video (non-english, but watch for the implementation of the outline I listed above): 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f0kVjNtjMY

[Greg V]

Clarification - the CD case must be clear from both sides.
Saying this because not all are clear through (just looking at my shelf here).
This is all.

[harold steinberg]

I love it (being a digital artist)! Fast and simple, could do a mite count any time the have is open.

I will give it a try and let the group know how it goes.

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[Greg V]

I thought you would!

Myself being in charge of digital evidence, I am loving it too.

This cups of bees, blah, blah - not possible to retroactively double-check.
No trace. No archive. Just lame IMO.

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[Greg V]

Advantages:
....
9. The picture can be uploaded to a site/emailed to others - for consultation/confirmation/cross-checking/etc.
10. The picture is digital evidence and can be treated and used as such - enough said.

[Matthew Hennek]

Make me an app and maybe it's a good idea. Your sample size is tiny and way too time consuming.

[Greg V]

1)http://lmgtfy.com/?q=count+objects+image+app#
2)I can donate empty cases to fit the sample size (to those who are in need)

[alexinmadison]

I've never successfully tested for mites and I've tried a couple of methods. I love this idea - no powdered sugar, no shaking the bees, etc. I'm going to try it too.

[Paul Zelenski]

I am curious if it works and if you can actually see the mites well enough to count them. I have heard they can disappear between the body segments. You should do a few tests with this and then do a sugar/ether roll with the same bees to check the accuracy/consistency.
Personally I find the sugar roll is pretty easy once you have the jar set up. It also doesn't hurt/kill any bees. I'll admit I don't do it nearly as often as a should, but it's not hard. I am surprised no one is selling pre made sugar roll jars. I guess I should do that and get rich. ... or Rich should do it ;)

> On Sep 22, 2016, at 6:54 PM, alexinmadison <alexin...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I've never successfully tested for mites and I've tried a couple of methods. I love this idea - no powdered sugar, no shaking the bees, etc. I'm going to try it too.
>

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