Owner’s Manual

EPA Establishment #: 088759-MI-001

Mite Zapper, LLC www.mitezapper.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

INTRODUCTION

4

INITIAL SETUP

6

ZAPPING PROCEDURE

7

JUMPER CABLE/BOOSTER CABLE GUIDE

10

MANUAL MITE COUNT PROCEDURE (NOT REQUIRED)

10

OPERATING CODES, INCLUDING FAULT CODES

11

TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE

12

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INTRODUCTION We have provided in this manual detailed instruction so that you get the best out of your investment. The MiteZapper® is very easy to use and effective device that controls varroa mites in your colony. The MiteZapper® is built as a drone frame and kills the varroa inside the brood cell. Industry wide research has proven that the varroa mites are 10-12 times more likely to prefer drone cells. In-fact up to 20 varroa females may invade a drone brood cell! Important: In preparing your colony for the MiteZapper® you should remove any frames that have drone cells or cut out the drone cells/drone brood. This will allow the queen to focus on the MiteZapper® frame. At this time, also place any frames with worker brood next to the MiteZapper® frame. This should be done before each Season. Note: The MiteZapper® is designed to stay in the colony year round. Important: You must make sure to have plenty of empty frames above the brood chamber. This will ensure the bees have ample room to store nectar. If not, the bees could use the MiteZapper® frame to store nectar. If this happens you can allow the bees to “rob” it out. Please see our website for the best method for robbing, without causing a problem in your bee yard. Important: We do recommend that you install a queen excluder. This will help ensure the queen will stay in the brood chamber. Installation Period: The bees must draw out the foundation on the Mite Zapper® frame. They will do this if there is honey flow OR by feeding them. You should feed the bees sugar syrup to help along the process of drawing the foundation (if required). This should only be done for approximately 10 days. Place a jar of sugar syrup on the entrance of the hive. By feeding them you will have a head start killing mites in the beginning of the season vs. waiting for the honey flow which is dependent on weather conditions. You should check the MiteZapper® during the installation period. The typical progression of the frame is outlined below: 1) After one week, check that the bees have drawn the foundation and the queen has started

to lay eggs. At this point, mark your calendar to keep track of the days.

2) 21-25 days later the MiteZapper® frame should be ready for your 1st zapping.

FIRST TIME SET-UP: DO NOT BEGIN THE PROCESS OF ZAPPING UNTIL THE MITEZAPPER® FRAME IS AT LEAST 70% COVERED WITH SEALED BROOD. THE BROOD ABSORBS THE HEAT. Note Regarding Mite Mortality: The MiteZapper® works by progressively killing the varroa trapped inside the sealed drone cells, each time you zap your colony. After the 1st zapping you will kill a significant number of varroa mites. The remaining varroa still alive in the colony will be trapped and killed by the 2nd zapping, and so on. By the 3rd or 4th zapping, the number of varroa in the colony will be under control and will be tolerated by the bees.

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PRIOR TO OPERATION, PLEASE ENSURE THAT THE BATTERY CABLES ARE CORRECTLY CONNECTED TO A 12 VOLT CAR BATTERY (MINIMUM 35 AMPS).

THE MITEZAPPER® COMPONENTS

(1) MiteZapper® Frame, Frame Connector and Frame Connector Cap NOTE: The MiteZapper® Frame color may be either Black or White. One frame is used per colony. The frame includes a Frame Connector “Cap.” The Frame Connector Cap protects the Frame Connector from the environment. The MiteZapper® Langstroth frame size is approx.: 19” x 9.125”

(1) One Control Box with Connector and Battery Clips. Only one Control Box is required. With only one Control Box you can treat all your colonies!

The MiteZapper® is made of RoHs compliant materials.

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INITIAL SET-UP

Step 1 Prepare the super for the MiteZapper® Frame. Note: super and hive box have the same meaning. Cut a notch on the top of the super, enough where the Frame Cord can rest below the super level. This will allow for the super above to rest flat. IMPORTANT: If you are installing the MiteZapper® in an existing colony, make sure to remove any drone cells present on other frames. At this time, also make sure to place any frames with worker brood next to the MiteZapper® frame. Clear away any propolis build up where the MiteZapper® Frame tabs will rest. You must ensure that there is adequate space between the frame tabs and the hive box ledges. This will enable the MiteZapper® frame to fit freely. DO NOT FORCE THE MITEZAPPER® FRAME INTO THE SUPER BOX.

You must install the MiteZapper® Frame in the brood box. If you have two brood boxes, then install the MiteZapper® Frame on the 2nd (top) box. IMPORTANT: Make sure you always have empty frames in the hives box(s) above the MiteZapper®. This will provide the needed space for the bees to store nectar.

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Step 2 Install one MiteZapper® Frame per colony. Deep super photograph shown. Install the MiteZapper® Frame in the 3rd position from the end. The queen prefers locations near the edge for laying eggs.

Queen Excluder – We recommend that you use a queen excluder with the MiteZapper® frame. NEVER install the MiteZapper® above the queen excluder. Place the queen excluder as normal and cut away

approximately a 1.25” square area. Try and cut the

excluder tight around the “humps.”

Note: not all frames have the humps.

A plastic queen excluder is easier to cut; however

metal works just as well.

ZAPPING PROCEDURE

Step 3 After the Installation Period (please see the Introduction), you should conduct zapping every 21-25 days during the drone rearing season. This is approximately 5 times depending where you live. Connect the Control Box Connector to the MiteZapper® Frame Connector. Push the connector until you hear a click. THE WAX MAY MELT THE CELLS THAT DO NOT HAVE BROOD - THIS IS NORMAL. THE BEES WILL RECOVER THE WAX.

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Step 4 You can now connect the Battery Cables to a 12 volt car battery. A smaller 12 volt battery can be used that has a minimum of 35Ah (amp hours). Red to positive (+) and Black to negative (-) terminals. If all connections are made properly, the RED & GREEN light will turn ON for 5 seconds. The operation will then begin automatically. During normal operation the GREEN light will flash ON/OFF. If the connections are improper, or there is a system malfunction, the RED light will come on, please see the Operating Codes section of this manual. IMPORTANT: After you have completed zapping your colonies, make sure you fully charge your battery.

Step 5 Operation – As noted in Step 4, the GREEN light will flash ON/OFF during normal operation, for approximately 8 minutes. Initially the light will flash quickly then slower; this is normal. Once the cycle is complete, the GREEN light will stay on STEADY. The process is now complete. NOTE: You should not disconnect the frame while the cycle is in progress (GREEN light is flashing). If you do disconnect the frame while the cycle is in progress, then disconnect the battery cables and allow the frame to cool for at least 20 minutes. This will enable the system to re-set.

Upon subsequent zapping, you can check the MiteZapper® frame periodically. Please follow the steps outlined in 3-5.

DISCONNECTION PROCEDURE AND PROCEDURE TO ZAP THE NEXT COLONY

DISCONNECTING THE FRAME

When you are completed with zapping your colony, simply disconnect the Frame Connector from the Control Box Connector. Lift the tab shown on the picture then pull apart. Do not pull from the wires. NOTE: Upon disconnecting the Frame from the Control Box, the light on the Control Box will turn RED. This is normal as the system recognizes it is not connected (see Operation Codes section).

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MAKE SURE YOU SECURE THE FRAME CONNECTOR CAP

At this point, you must snap on the Frame Connector Cap onto the Frame Connector. This will protect the Frame Connector from the environment.

For every colony that you install the MiteZapper® Frame please follow Steps 1-5. For subsequent zapping after initial setup, simply follow Steps 3-5. If desired, you may check the MiteZapper® prior to zapping to ensure that the frame is filled with sealed brood.

WHEN PROCEEDING TO ZAP THE NEXT COLONY, YOU HAVE 2 OPTIONS:

1st – You can disconnect the battery clips from the battery and move to the next colony. Then reconnect the system described in Steps 3-5. OR 2nd – You can leave the battery clips connected to the battery (you should still see a solid GREEN light indicating the recent zapping was successful). Next, disconnect the frame from the control box (note: the fault light will turn solid red because the frame is no longer connected) and reconnect the Control Box to the next Mite Zapper® frame. The GREEN light should start to flash as described in Step 5.

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JUMPER CABLE / BOOSTER CABLE GUIDE

Power Source Length of Cable Suggested Cable Thickness

Running Car 12 volt Battery up to 40 feet 6 gauge / 16mm2 or Thicker

Running Car 12 volt Battery up to 30 feet 8 gauge / 10mm2 or Thicker

Stationary 12 volt Battery up to 30 feet 6 gauge / 16mm2 or Thicker

Stationary 12 volt Battery up to 20 feet 8 gauge / 10mm2 or Thicker

Notes: The above table assumes a minimum of 11.5 volts is delivered to the MiteZapper® control box. 12 volt batteries require a minimum of 35Ah (amps). Most automotive car batteries are 60 amps or greater. Batteries must be fully charged prior to use. Make sure to follow proper battery care and maintenance. You should immediately charge your battery after use to prolong its useful life. IMPORTANT: Proper care MUST be taken to ensure the battery contacts DO NOT touch each other.

MANUAL MITE COUNT PROCEDURE

As explained in the Owner’s Manual, the efficacy of the MiteZapper® is measured over the drone rearing season. Each time that you zap your colony you are progressively reducing the varroa levels. However, if you wish to count for mite mortality, please refer to the procedure below.

1. Install and use the MiteZapper® frame as described in the Owner’s Manual. 2. After zapping the colony, wait at least 45 minutes before removing the MiteZapper®

frame from the super box. Be careful not to shake the frame and brush the bees off gently.

3. Always keep the MiteZapper® frame at room temperature. 4. Wait at least 24-36 hours before uncapping the cells to count mites. 5. Do not count the bottom four rows, there is no heating element and therefore the

MiteZapper® will not kill the mites on these rows.

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OPERATING CODES The MiteZapper® Control Box indicator lights are used to guide the operator during the zapping process, as well as, to assist the operator in identifying problems in the remote possibility of a system malfunction.

Normal Operation

Fault Cycle Normal Operating Mode Description

ON ON Upon connection to the battery, both LED’s come on for 5 seconds until the heat cycle starts.

OFF Flashing Green light is Flashing ON/OFF. System is functioning properly.

OFF ON Green light is ON Steady. Operation has been completed successfully.

Fault Codes

Fault Cycle Fault Code Description

OFF OFF Both lights are OFF. Battery is not connected or there is a poor connection.

ON OFF Red light is ON Steady, Green light is OFF, EITHER: a.) Battery voltage is LOW. b.) Frame is not connected.

1 - 4 Flashes

OFF Frame is damaged, please contact MiteZapper Support.

5 Flashes

OFF Red light flashes 5 quick flashes ON, one OFF. Control box malfunction, please contact MiteZapper Support.

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TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE

Symptom Possible Cause Solution

Queen is not laying eggs on the MiteZapper® frame.

Check to see if the queen is in the brood chamber (look for eggs in other frames).

Install a queen excluder to ensure the queen does not migrate to upper hive boxes.

Worker brood frames are not adjacent to the MiteZapper® frame.

Place the frames with worker brood next to the MiteZapper® frame.

Drone brood exists in other frames.

Remove the frames that have drone brood OR cut out the drone brood.

The MiteZapper® frame needs to be moved to a different position.

If the MiteZapper® frame is in the 2nd position, move it to the 3rd. If it is in the 3rd position move to the 4th. Make sure you keep the brood nest adjacent to the MiteZapper®.

Bees are filling the MiteZapper® frame with nectar.

Not enough empty frames available in the hive boxes.

Install additional hive boxes above the brood boxes. You want to make sure there are always empty frames for the bees to store nectar.

Worker brood frames are not adjacent to the MiteZapper® frame.

Place the frames with worker brood next to the MiteZapper® frame.

**If the frame has nectar, you can allow the bees to “rob” it out. Please see instruction on our website for the best method for robbing.

Bees are not drawing the MiteZapper® frame.

Honey flow has not started. Feed the bees sugar syrup.

Colony is Weak. Take worker brood frames from stronger colonies and install in the colony with the MiteZapper®.

Bees have drawn drone brood apart from the MiteZapper® frame (the brood is raised away from the MiteZapper® frame).

There is too much space between the MiteZapper® frame and the adjacent frame.

First remove the raised drone brood. Then ensure that the two frames on either side of the MiteZapper® frame are spaced properly.