{"title":"Hygiene Testing Tools","description":"Precision tools for testing hygienic behaviour in honey bee colonies, made in Australia.","products":[{"product_id":"bee-brood-hygiene-tester-pin-tester","title":"Bee Brood Hygiene Tester – Pin tester","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg border=\"0\" alt=\"Bee colony needle tester is not hygienic\" src=\"https:\/\/karnika.com.ua\/ufiles\/Image\/IO\/needle-tester-of-bees-for-hygiene.jpg\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe needle tester is designed to simplify testing of bee colonies for hygienic properties by piercing bee brood of a certain age.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"bl1\"\u003e\u003cspan dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe tester has 50 thin (0.38 mm) stainless steel needles 12 mm long, which allows making 50 punctures on a frame with sealed brood in one movement. This significantly reduces the testing time for the breeder, especially when there are more than 10 families, and the test must be carried out twice per season. The tester handle is made of polyurethane resistant to wear and detergents.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan dir=\"auto\"\u003eThere are different sizes of matrix shafts on which wax foundation is made. Therefore, wax foundation and printed brood cells will have slightly different sizes, which entails different distances at the needles on the tester. The needles must hit the target exactly, allowing an error of no more than a millimeter. I have developed three sizes of needle testers with distances between needles of 5.0 mm; 5.2 mm; 5.4 mm, which covers the main ranges of cell sizes at the wax foundation used by the breeder.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan dir=\"auto\"\u003eTo select a tester that will suit you, you need to make a simple measurement of the wax foundation that you use in your apiary. Measure with a regular ruler, or a more precise tool, if you have one, the length of twenty cells, from the beginning of the first cell to the end of the last, as shown in the picture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg border=\"0\" alt=\"measuring the size of bee cells\" src=\"https:\/\/karnika.com.ua\/ufiles\/Image\/IO\/needle-tester-ruler.jpg\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan dir=\"auto\"\u003eThen divide the obtained result by 20 and get the diameter of your cell, with which you select the required size of the bee colony hygiene tester. If your cell size after measurements is 5.3 mm, then 2 size options will suit you (5.2 or 5.4), and if the measurement showed 5.1 mm, then you can take 5.0 or 5.2.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fullmoon Bees and Rescue Bees","offers":[{"title":"5.4mm cell size","offer_id":50463099748667,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0929\/2323\/2571\/files\/needle-tester-of-bees-for-hygiene.jpg?v=1753516801"},{"product_id":"ezpz-pin-tester-hygienic-behaviour-testing-tool-australian-made","title":"EZPZ Pin Tester – Hygienic Behaviour Testing Tool (Australian Made)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe EZPZ Pin Tester is a precision tool designed for assessing hygienic behaviour in honey bee colonies. By gently piercing capped brood to mimic damaged or dead brood, the pin test provides a reliable and repeatable method for identifying colonies with strong hygienic traits — ideal for queen breeders, selection programs, and any beekeeper aiming to improve colony resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuilt from durable PETG, the tester is heat-resistant, UV stable, and suitable for regular field use. The replaceable stainless-steel pins ensure long service life and consistent performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProudly designed and manufactured in Australia, the EZPZ Pin Tester supports local production while delivering commercial-grade quality for your breeding program.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e---\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeatures\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🐝 Accurate hygienic behaviour testing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🔩 Replaceable stainless-steel pins for long-term use\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🇦🇺 100% Australian made\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e♻️ PETG construction – strong, heat-resistant, and durable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔️ Easy to use – simply press onto capped worker brood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔️ Helps identify colonies with superior hygienic traits\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔️ Supports breeding for improved disease and mite resistance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e---\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1. Locate an area of solid purple-eye stage capped worker brood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2. Press the EZPZ Pin Tester gently into the brood to pierce the cells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3. Mark the frame and return it to the colony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e4. Check at 6, 12, and 24 hours for uncapping and removal activity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5. Record results to compare hygienic performance across colonies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e--\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaterial: PETG\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePins: Stainless steel (replaceable)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDimensions: Standard EZPZ format (compatible with brood frames)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade in: Australia\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e--\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 × EZPZ Pin Tester\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1X Guide for easy testing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePre-installed stainless-steel pin array\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e---\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect For:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQueen breeders\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstrumental insemination programs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVarroa and disease-resistance selection\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHobbyists and professionals wanting healthier colonies\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✅ What good\/hygienic behaviour looks like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter piercing capped brood (at the red\/purple-eye stage), a colony with strong hygienic behaviour should begin uncapping the cells within a few hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e By about 6–9 hours, many of the pierced cells should be opened and some removal of brood contents should be underway. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy the 20-24 hour mark, a well-hygienic colony could have 80-100% of the targeted cells cleared (emptied) if conditions are good. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e---\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⚠️ Intermediate \/ weaker responses\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf only 30-40% clearance is seen after ~6 hours, this suggests the hygienic trait is present but not exceptionally strong. The colony may still respond, but more slowly or less consistently. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf after 12-24 hours many cells remain un-opened or un-cleared, then the colony’s hygienic response is low. This signals that selection (if you’re breeding for hygiene) should be cautious\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e. --\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e❌ Poor\/no response\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf nothing or almost nothing is cleared, then the colony likely lacks the hygienic trait to a useful degree. Selection for breeding should probably exclude such colonies (or work harder on drone genetics to improve). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e---\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🔍 Important caveats \u0026amp; factors affecting results\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brood stage is critical: the piercing should be done at the red or purple-eye pupal stage for best validity. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExternal factors can interfere and reduce observed hygiene, even if the genetics are good. These include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh ambient temperatures or major foraging activity = less brood-care time. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeavy disease pressure (paradoxically may mask true capacity). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDisturbance of colony or testing at a poor time. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe test shows a snapshot of behaviour — repeating the test under different conditions is wise to confirm results. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e--🎯 Suggested interpretation framework (for your tool)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResult at ~6 hours Interpretation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt; 80% cells opened\/cleared Strong hygienic behaviour; very good candidate for breeding\/selection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e30-80% opened\/cleared Moderate hygienic behaviour; trait is present but needs monitoring\/stabilising.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt; 30% opened\/cleared or minimal removal Low hygienic behaviour; likely not ideal for breeding focus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd then check at ~24 hours: if still many cells remain uncleared, that’s a warning.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fullmoon Beekeeping Supplies","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50723811885371,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0929\/2323\/2571\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_2d97825f-5778-4f15-8767-0c55b30e8060.jpg?v=1763032790"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.fullmoonbeekeeping.com.au\/collections\/hygiene-testing-tools.oembed","provider":"Fullmoon Beekeeping Supplies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}