Ceracell Varroa Mite Test Bottle
The Ceracell Mite Tester is a simple shake-bottle for checking Varroa mite levels in a colony. Scoop a sample of bees into the inner basket, add powdered sugar or alcohol, shake, and the mites drop through the basket into the clear chamber below where you count them — so you know whether and when it's time to treat instead of guessing.
Features
- Two-part bottle with an inner filter basket and a clear collection chamber
- Works with the sugar-shake, alcohol-wash, or CO2 method
- Leak-proof locking-clip closure — no spills during the shake
- Clear walls for an easy, accurate mite count
- Reusable — rinse and use again between tests
How it works in real life
Mite monitoring is how you decide whether a colony needs treatment; skipping it is how beekeepers lose hives over winter. Scoop about a half-cup of bees (roughly 300) from a brood frame into the basket, lock the leak-proof clip, and add your medium — powdered sugar for a non-lethal roll, or alcohol or CO2 for a faster read. Shake for the recommended time, then count the mites collected in the clear chamber and divide by three for mites per 100 bees.
Test every few weeks through the season so a rising count doesn't catch you off guard, and re-test after treating to confirm it worked.
Before you order
- You supply the testing medium — powdered sugar, isopropyl alcohol, or CO2.
- A sugar-shake returns the bees to the hive; alcohol and CO2 samples are sacrificed but give a cleaner count.
- Sample nurse bees from a brood frame (not the queen) for the most accurate result.
- Monitor through the season, not just once.
Pairs Well With
- Varroa Mite Test & Treatment Kit — a test plus a treatment in one package
- NO Varroa Oxalic Acid Vaporizer — to treat when counts run high
- Double Jar Varroa Mite Test Bottle — an alternative double-jar tester
Specifications
- Type: shake-bottle Varroa mite tester
- Methods: sugar shake, alcohol wash, or CO2
- Closure: leak-proof locking clip
- Weight: 0.3 lb
- Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5 x 5.25 in
- Brand: Ceracell
FAQ
How does it work?
Scoop a sample of bees into the basket, add your medium, lock the lid, and shake. Mites drop through the basket into the clear chamber, where you count them.
Sugar shake or alcohol wash?
A sugar shake is non-lethal and lets you return the bees, but is a little less precise. Alcohol or CO2 kills the sample but gives a cleaner, more reliable count.
How often should I test?
Every few weeks during the active season, and again after any treatment to confirm the mite level dropped.
What counts as a high reading?
Thresholds vary by season and region, but many beekeepers treat when they find around three mites per 100 bees. Follow current local IPM guidance for your area.
