Dewey M. Caron Univ Delaware Emeritus Affiliate Professor OSU Besides Location, Location, Location

 Strong populous colonies (BUT can they be too strong?)  Young vigorous queens (why survivor or selected (hygienic)stock?)  Healthy brood (lack PMS) and virus-free adults  Enough honey (how much is enough?) and bee bread stores (how much is needed?

 Apis mellifera -- Not native to US  Some regions (Oregon) with poor fall flow  Environment has ups and downs (Indian summer – early/late fall slow spring)  Bee mites, Bee Mites, BEE MITES  Mite relationship not a good one

Honey bee colony health has declined since late 40’s Accelerated decline in 90’s w/ bee mite increases Mysterious syndromes Bee PMS–CCD since 2007 HB tracheal mite Varroa mite CCD

In the beginning

 1869 – USA - IN, KY & TN  1891& May Disease (Stonebrood (Aspergillus)  1905 – 1919 Isle of Wight Disease  Disappearing Disease Portland OR,  1917 – Autumn Collapse Disease NJ NY OH Canada  1963 – southern U.S. - Lou to Ca fall dwindling  US states & Mexico Pesticide Deaths – Indemnification 11 yrs  NE & PA Epidemic  2001 Bee PMS & 2007 CCD

2014 ~600,000 col ~7200 indiv Acceptable Colony Loss level

32.5% 31.7% 10.4% 73.4%

9.5% 27.2% 66%+ 64%

18.5% 25.6% 27.7% 19%

TOTAL SEASON US=45.2% - MA =58.7% (160 indiv) 22%

Data from Burgett 1998 Normal 10-15%

38% 18.1% 31.1% 2013 National 6300 indiv 30.6% - 22% total col 156 indiv 41.2% avg33.7% 19 indiv 19.7% Ave 22.2%

Losses and then big losses Avg 29.9%

 Disease epidemic ◦ New or newly virulent pathogen ◦ Secondary pathogens  Pesticides ◦ Neonics, chlorpyrifos, pyrethroids ◦ Miticides ◦ Syngergism (fungicide +)  Environmental stressors ◦ Bee nutrition inadequate – monoculture ag ◦ Climate change  Other – GMO’s, ET’s, Cell phones, sunspots Current outlook 1/4 th CCD/B PMS 1/4 th mites 1/4 th Nosema 1/4 th management

2012 National approximately 45% (99.5% backyarders) had NO LOSS 2013 PNW 33% small-scale beekeepers had NO LOSS

 Beekeepers talk to Beekeepers

 Fall “issues”  Disappearing bees in fall  “Snot” brood  Deadouts in fall  ‘pick-up rate’  Wintering issues  Feeding issues

Treatment Control Options Treatment Options Treat Don’t Treat Hard Chemical IPM Soft Chemical or Organic Cultural or Mechanical + sanitation site Ventilation Drone trap Brood interupt + Oxalic + hopguard Apivar

IPM toolbox

Survivorship selection Opportunity

Cultural options Small Cell size

Physical-Mechanical Drone brood removal

Treating with Chemical controls

Use of specific products Dumb Chemicals for smart beekeepers

Effective tool specially designed for Varroa Mite management in bee colonies Controlled-release strips formulated with 3.3% Amitraz (0.5g active per 15g strip) Smart Chemicals for d____ beekeepers

 Passive – screen bottom board; apiary site; hygienic stock, natural comb  Minimal -- Miticide Apivar – [>honey removal]  Aggressive  Spring treatment – Essential oils (Apiguard ApiLife Var); Formic acid (Mags); Drone removal  Summer (after honey removal) – requeen (brood interruption); Apivar miticide  Late fall (clean adults when no brood) -- Oxalic Hopguard OTHER – sanitation (comb rotation), small cell, Mite zapper, feeding (nutrition) supplements, powdered sugar, drying materials, acetic acid, mineral oil

Alternative material used Honey-B-Healthy

 Bees know best – they don’t need our care

 Doesn’t mean chemical free (life is all about chemicals)  Doesn’t mean let alone beekeeping (it is difficult work to achieve!)  Doesn’t mean failure to manage (i.e the old system of being a ‘BEE-HAVER or BEE HOSTER)  Doesn’t mean ‘survivor stock’  Doesn’t mean giving up !!!

 Less expensive (fewer or no inputs)  Ecologically-sound  Less chance for non-target harm  Reduce beeswax contamination  Stewardship-friendly  Kinder-gentler bee colony care  More natural !

 The bee hive?  The apiary?  The management?  The Bee

 Supporting treatment-free? What is wrong here – Hive? Apiary? Bee? Management?