7 Best Mite Sticky Traps For Apiary That Work Without Chemicals

You’ve just finished a hive inspection, everything looks good, but a nagging thought remains: what about Varroa mites? You can’t always see them, but they are the single biggest threat to your colonies. Relying on chemical treatments without knowing your mite levels is like flying blind, which is why a simple sticky board is one of the most powerful tools in a beekeeper’s arsenal.

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Monitoring Mites: The Chemical-Free Approach

The whole point of a sticky board is to get a baseline. It’s a passive way to see what’s naturally falling off your bees without disturbing the colony or using chemicals. You slide a sticky, gridded board under the screened bottom board, leave it for a set period—usually 24 to 72 hours—and then count the Varroa mites that have fallen.

This simple count gives you a "mite drop" number. You divide the total mites by the number of days the board was in place to get an average daily drop. This number isn’t just data; it’s your early warning system. A low count means your current management is working, while a sudden spike tells you it’s time to intervene before the colony is in serious trouble.

Think of it as part of a larger Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy. Instead of just treating on a fixed schedule, you monitor first, assess the threat, and then decide on a course of action. Sticky boards are the first, and arguably most important, step in that process. They empower you to make informed decisions, saving you time, money, and unnecessary treatments.

Mann Lake IPM Sticky Boards for Mite Counts

These are the workhorses of the mite-monitoring world. Mann Lake’s sticky boards are straightforward, disposable sheets with a grid printed right on them. The pre-applied adhesive is tacky enough to hold mites but not so strong that it traps bees who might find their way down there.

The printed grid is the key feature here. It breaks the board down into one-inch squares, making the tedious job of counting tiny mites much easier. You can scan the board section by section instead of losing your place. This simple design element saves a lot of frustration, especially when you’re counting mites from multiple hives.

The main tradeoff is that they are disposable. While convenient, you’ll go through several per hive each season, which creates waste and a recurring cost. However, for beekeepers who value speed and don’t want the hassle of cleaning and re-coating a reusable board, they are an excellent, no-fuss option.

Veto-pharma Sticky Board for Varroa Detection

Veto-pharma is a name many beekeepers associate with mite treatments like Apivar, so it’s no surprise their monitoring board is built for accuracy. This board is designed to give you a clear picture of your mite load before, during, and after treatment. It functions much like other disposable boards but often has a particularly effective adhesive.

The real value here is in its role as a diagnostic tool. Using the same brand for monitoring and potential treatment can feel like a cohesive system. You use their board to determine if a mite problem exists, and if it does, you have a clear path to one of their treatment options. It simplifies the decision-making process.

Like other disposables, it’s a single-use product. But for beekeepers who already trust Veto-pharma products, this sticky board is a logical and reliable choice. It’s designed specifically for the job of Varroa detection and does it well without any added complexity.

Bee Smart Gridded Insert for Easy Counting

The Bee Smart insert takes a different approach. Instead of a disposable sheet, this is a rigid, corrugated plastic board with a grid molded directly into the surface. This design is incredibly durable and built to last for many seasons.

The big advantage is reusability. You don’t throw it away; you clean it and reuse it. To make it sticky, you apply a light coating of something you probably already have, like cooking spray or petroleum jelly. The molded grid won’t rub off like a printed one, so you can scrub it clean without worry.

The downside is the extra step of applying the sticky coating yourself. It can be a bit messy, and you have to get the coating right—too little and mites won’t stick, too much and you create a mess. But for the beekeeper looking to reduce waste and make a one-time purchase, this is a fantastic, long-term investment.

Varro-Check Mite Monitor: A Reusable Option

The Varro-Check is another solid, reusable option built for the long haul. It’s a sturdy plastic tray designed to slide easily into a standard screened bottom board. Its simplicity is its greatest strength.

Like the Bee Smart insert, the Varro-Check requires you to apply your own adhesive. This gives you control over what you use in your hive. A quick spray of canola oil is all it takes to prepare it for a mite count. After you’re done, a scrape with a putty knife and a quick wash is all that’s needed to get it ready for the next hive.

This is a tool for the beekeeper who prioritizes durability and minimal waste. It’s not flashy, but it’s a piece of equipment that will serve you reliably for years. If you manage several hives, the cost savings from not buying disposable boards add up quickly, making this a very practical choice.

Api-Shield Insert for Screened Bottom Boards

The Api-Shield insert is a multi-purpose tool, which is always a win on a small farm. It’s designed not only as a mite-counting board but also as an entrance reducer and a shield to close off the screened bottom for winter. This versatility makes it incredibly useful.

For mite counting, you coat it with an adhesive and slide it in. The grid helps with counting, just like other boards. But once monitoring season is over, you can flip it over or re-insert it to block drafts during the cold months, helping the colony maintain its cluster temperature more efficiently.

This dual-functionality means one less piece of equipment to buy and store. The tradeoff is that it may not be as specialized as a dedicated mite board, but its practicality is hard to beat. For beekeepers in climates with cold winters, the Api-Shield offers excellent value by serving two critical functions with one simple product.

Hive-Guard Mite Trap for Seasonal Monitoring

The Hive-Guard Mite Trap offers a slightly different take on the sticky board concept. It’s a corrugated plastic board, but it’s often marketed with a focus on its specific material and design, which is intended to be easy to clean and highly durable.

Its primary function is identical to other reusable boards: you coat it, insert it, count the mites, and clean it. Where it stands out is in its robust construction. It’s designed to withstand the scraping and cleaning that comes with repeated use, season after season. It won’t warp or degrade easily.

This is a great option for beekeepers who are tough on their equipment. If you want a no-nonsense, reusable board that you don’t have to be delicate with, the Hive-Guard is a reliable choice. It’s a simple, effective tool built to handle the realities of apiary work.

Apivar MiteCheck Tray for Accurate Sampling

The Apivar MiteCheck Tray is another offering from Veto-pharma, but it’s designed with a specific problem in mind: count accuracy. This isn’t just a flat board; it’s a shallow tray. The raised edges help prevent other insects, like ants or wax moth larvae, from getting onto the board and carrying away the fallen mites.

This might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference. If ants are removing your mites before you can count them, your mite drop numbers will be artificially low, giving you a false sense of security. The tray design helps ensure that what falls onto the board stays on the board, leading to a more accurate assessment of your mite problem.

This tray is for the data-driven beekeeper who wants the most precise count possible. While it requires the same self-applied adhesive as other reusable options, its design directly addresses a common source of error in mite monitoring. It’s a smart solution for anyone who has ever suspected their mite counts weren’t telling the whole story.

Ultimately, the best mite sticky trap is the one you will use consistently. Whether you prefer the convenience of a disposable board or the sustainability of a reusable one, the act of monitoring is what truly matters. Regular mite counts transform you from a reactive bee-haver into a proactive beekeeper, ready to protect your colonies with confidence.