Instructions / Assembly

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Mite Grid
Instructional Sheet
What is a Mite Grid?
A mite grid is a removable and washable corrugated plastic grid used for mite management. This white
1” x 1” mite grid is located at the bottom board under the screen of the Little Giant® Langstroth Complete
Beehive.
What is a Screened Bottom Board?
The screened bottom board is the most important tool of integrated pest management in beekeeping. It
allows the beekeeper a passive way to control and monitor mite levels and accurately obtain the mite count
within their hive. The use of this bottom board can help reduce mites, may increase brood production,
improves hive ventilation and allows the beekeeper to monitor mite levels in the hive.
How and When Should a Mite Grid be Used?
After opening a brand new Little Giant® Complete Beehive, immediately remove the mite grid and save for
later use. Its first use will be approximately one month after a new package of bees is loaded into the hive.
To use the mite grid smear a light layer of petroleum jelly on the printed side of the grid, or spray it with
cooking oil. This will cause the mites to stick and it should not harm the bees. Insert it under the screen on
the bottom board. After 1-3 days check the grid and simply count the number of mites on one 1” x 1” grid
to calculate the intensity of the mite count in the hive. This helps determine the count of mites that may be
present in the hive and when (or if) the hive should be treated. Contact your local beekeepers’ association
to learn more about mite control and treatment.
A mite grid should be used as part of regular hive inspections, about once every two weeks. Once the mite
inspection is complete, remove the mite grid from the hive in order to prevent propolis, wax and other
debris from building up on it. There is no magic number of when to treat for mites. Time of year, size of
colony, and genetics of the bees all are determining factors of when to treat and with what to treat.
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