Alcohol Wash vs Sugar Roll: Which Mite Test Kit to Buy

Two mite counts, two sets of equipment. Here is what each kit contains, what the extension sources say about them, and how to pick.

Buy a sugar roll kit if you want the sampled bees to go back into the hive, and an alcohol wash kit if you want the method extension sources call the most accurate and accept losing the bees in the jar. Both kits are built around a wide-mouth jar with a mesh lid, so the real difference is what goes inside and what happens to the bees.

This guide is about the equipment. For how to read the count and what to do about it, see our varroa mite testing guide.

The two tests in one table

Three university and supplier sources describe the same pair of tests in nearly the same terms (Virginia Tech Bee Group, varroa sampling methods; Oregon State University Extension, sampling varroa mites in the brood nest; Dadant, counting varroa mites). Here is how they line up.

Sample size is where the sources differ. Virginia Tech describes about 200 bees from a quarter-cup scoop. Oregon State and Dadant describe about 300 bees, roughly half a cup. That is a reason to buy a kit with a marked scoop and follow its own instructions, not to guess.

Alcohol wash kits

An alcohol wash kit is the simplest set of gear: a jar, a lid with mesh or a separate strainer, and a scoop. You supply the rubbing alcohol. Dadant's guide names isopropyl alcohol of at least 70 percent, so check the strength your kit or extension office specifies rather than assuming.

The trade-off is plain. The sampled bees die, which is why some keepers resist it. Penn State calls alcohol washes the most accurate monitoring method, so if one count has to be right, for example before a decision to treat, it is the kit many people reach for.

Look for a clear jar so you can see the bees and the liquid level, a lid that seals well enough to shake hard without leaking, and a strainer that lets mites through while holding bees back. Some kits may include more than one lid so a single jar can do both tests, so read the listing.

Sugar roll kits

A sugar roll kit uses a jar with a mesh lid, powdered sugar and a white tray. You shake the sugar over the bees, then tip the jar to drop dislodged mites onto the tray. Oregon State describes a lid with a one-eighth-inch mesh screen, and says the sugar-coated bees go back to the colony afterward. Dadant says the method does not harm the bees.

The cost is accuracy. Virginia Tech reports results comparable to an alcohol wash but notes sugar may not remove every mite, and Dadant describes it as giving an estimate. A kit helps by giving you a consistent scoop and a fine mesh, though technique matters as much as the jar. You can buy powdered sugar at any grocery store, so a good kit is mostly about the jar and lid.

What to check on any kit

• Mouth width. A wide opening makes it easier to pour bees in without crushing them.
• Lid fit. The lid should thread on firmly. A lid that slips is a mess with alcohol and with sugar.
• Mesh size. It has to let mites and sugar through but stop bees. If the listing does not say, ask the seller before you buy.
• A marked scoop. A repeatable amount of bees matters more than the exact amount, so use the same scoop every time.
• A white tray or dish. Dark mites show best on white. Any plain white container works if the kit lacks one.
• Easy cleaning. Rinse and dry between yards so sugar or residue never carries from one colony to the next.

Kits also vary in how many lids and jars they include. A few extra jars let you test several colonies in one visit, which helps when you keep more than one hive. Our equipment checklist shows where a mite test kit sits among the other tools.

Which one to buy

If you keep a handful of hives and dislike killing bees, start with the sugar roll. If you want the closer count and accept the loss of the sample, buy the alcohol wash. The two jars cost little compared with the colonies they protect, so many keepers own both and use each for a reason.

Whichever you pick, check your method against your state or local extension guidance, because treatment decisions rest on how the count is taken. Our post-treatment mite check guide covers testing after treatment, and our varroa treatment roundup comes after the count, not before it.

The one kit to avoid is anything that mixes a jar you cannot seal, a lid with a mesh you cannot verify and no scoop. You will be less likely to repeat the test, and a count you do not repeat is not much use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should a beginner buy an alcohol wash or sugar roll kit?

A sugar roll kit suits many beginners because the sampled bees return to the hive and the method is described as comparable in accuracy. An alcohol wash is the more established precise test, so some keepers own both.

Do I need a special jar to count mites?

A wide-mouth jar with a lid that holds a mesh screen works for both tests. Kits save you assembling the parts, but a jar, mesh lid and scoop are what matter.

How many bees should I sample?

Sources differ: Virginia Tech describes about 200 bees from a quarter cup, while Oregon State and Dadant describe about 300 bees, roughly half a cup. Use the scoop and instructions that come with your kit and keep it the same each time.

Can I use the same lid for both tests?

Some kits include lids for both methods. Check the mesh size and fit in the listing, and rinse and dry everything between colonies.

Does a mite count tell me when to treat?

The count is only half the decision. Penn State describes action thresholds that vary by program, so check your state or county extension guidance before you act.