Varroa Tester CO₂ (Classic)

How does it work?

This method is based on temporary CO₂ anesthesia to dislodge mites from the bees:

• Collect a sample of about 200 worker bees directly from a brood frame (where mite concentration is highest).
• Inject CO₂ for 5–6 seconds—just enough to gently anesthetize the bees.
• Gently shake the container for 10 seconds so the mites detach and fall through the perforated mesh.
• Count the fallen mites collected at the bottom.
• Once recovered, the bees can be returned alive to the hive.

This is a non-lethal method that offers precision comparable to alcohol wash, but without sacrificing your bee sample.

Why monitor?

As highlighted in the Bees.Academy guide, regular monitoring is the cornerstone of effective varroa control. Checking infestation levels in spring, summer, and autumn helps prevent winter losses and optimize treatment timing.

A 3% infestation or higher in summer (e.g., 6 mites per 200 bees) is a clear threshold for urgent intervention.

Real advantages over other methods

• Non-lethal: unlike alcohol wash, no bees are killed.
• Faster than sticky boards, which require days of observation.
• More consistent than powdered sugar, especially in humid conditions.
• Lightweight and reusable: ideal for testing multiple hives.
• Bees can be returned to the hive: great for small colonies or genetic selection programs.

Usage tips

• Always sample from sealed brood frames.
• Do not inject CO₂ directly on the bees—aim toward the lid area.
• Clean the container between uses to avoid skewed results.
• Avoid testing in extreme temperatures.
• To calculate infestation: divide the number of mites by 2 (if you sampled 200 bees) or by 3 (for 300 bees).

Technical specifications

The container holds approximately 300 ml and includes a double perforated mesh to separate mites from anesthetized bees. It uses standard threaded 16 g CO₂ cartridges (not included), the same as those used in cycling or airsoft. The kit comes with a CO₂ dispenser. Cartridges not included.

• Total weight: 660 g
• Anesthesia time: 5–6 seconds
• Shaking time: 10 seconds
• Recovery time: 10–20 seconds
• Reusable: just replace the CO₂ cartridges

This tool is particularly valuable for beekeepers raising queens, managing small nuclei, or aiming to preserve colony health with minimal intervention. Perfect for inclusion in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy.

A simple yet powerful tool for beekeepers who want to stay ahead of varroa—without sacrificing a single bee.