Alcohol Wash Exotic Pest Testing Kit (Varroa)
Exotic Pest Testing Kit is used to identify pests such as: Varroa, Tropilaelaps & Tracheal Mites. https://beeaware.org.au/pest_category/exotic-pests/
Alcohol Wash Instructions
Equipment Supplied:
1 x Container
1 x Mesh Insert
Additional Equipment Required:
Methylated Spirits (300ml per test)
Bee Collecting Item eg: Newspaper, Cardboard Manilla Folder
Strainer
Bowl or Jug
Paper Towel or Filter Paper
Zip Lock Bag
Instructions
- Fill Alcohol Wash Container with 300ml of Methylated Spirits.
- Standard Beekeeping practices to access Brood Frames
- Shake sample of bees off 3 to 4 brood frames and collect approx 300 bees in the mesh insert, place in container and screw lid on
- Turn the container on its side to roll & agitate the bees in the methylated spirits for 2 mins
- Upright the container and allow the methylated spirits to gather in the bottom of the container
- Remove the lid and remove the sample of bees
- Place a strainer on a bowl or jug and line with either paper towel or filter paper
- Pour the methylated spirits through the strainer to collect any exotic pests on the paper towel or filter paper.
- Check strainer sample for any exotic pests, leave sample to dry, once dry fold and store in a zip lock bag
- If exotic pests are sighted contact:
Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881 or Biosecurity QLD 13 25 23