presented by Dewey M. Caron w/ data geeking by Jenai Fitzpatrick

Beekeeping Education PM - 55% PM - Club meetings + Mentors

Respondent Hive Years 62% with 1,2 or 3 colonies; m=3, avg=4.2 [range 0-50] PM 55% m=3,avg=4 {[range 1-15] 48% with 1,2 or 3 years experience, M=4, avg=6 [range 0-60] PM 35% m=4 Avg=7.5[range 1-40]

Colony Losses-29% by Hive Type # spring hives = 800 # fall hives = 1131 PM 7,6 66,56 1 6,1 = 80

Another view --PM w/ Total losses # spring hives (PUB) = 63 # fall hives = 80 (PUB) Max = 24

% Loss by Origination (PNW) # spring hives = 826 # fall hives = 1274 (PNW)

PM LOSS BY ORIGINATION TOTAL 29% 46% 42% 40% 30% # F,S 22,19 14,12 19,14 17,13 5,4

PUB 2015 numbers

42% 9-yr Avg 37% 23% 9-yr Avg = 29%

2015 Loss Comparisons # indiv % est. col. 61% 60% unknown 14.5% 15.7%14.2% [25.2]% OR 29%

8 Years of Comparison 16% 29%

Another view

Sampling colony adults sugar shake Alcohol wash (window washer fluid) Keep below 2-5% -- 5mites/100 bees

ManagementsManagements

Feeding, Moisture Control and Ventilation Moisture will kill bees …NOT cold! Locate hive out of the wind, in sun, protected. Use screened bottom boards, top ventilation. Feed bees to insure enough food stores Use screen tops with moisture collector. Burlap Straw Old Towels Etc.

ControlControl

Do you like/use Screen Bottom Boards? 95% of BIP survey respondents say THEY DO USE THEM

BUT SCREEN BOTTOM BOARDS apparently DO NOT REDUCE LOSSES Nationally no advantage (4 consecutive survey years: , , , and ). However in northern states a 12.4% reduction of loss was recorded in last survey year ( ).

Drone brood removal

Drone Brood removal 11% fewer overwintering colony losses detected in one of four survey years ( ). However in northern states a 10 % - 33% reduction in loss was recorded in operations that used this technique in 3 of 4 survey years ( , , )

yes

Do you use essential oils? Apiguard ApiLife Var

If you do use an essential oil -- APIGUARD % fewer overwintering colony losses with use (4 consecutive survey years: , , , ) APILIFE VAR % fewer overwintering colony losses with use (4 consecutive survey years: , , and ) Essential oils in HONEY BEE HEALTHY & other supplements are not adequately control mites

Alternative material used Honey-B-Healthy

Do Acids control mites? Formic (MAQS) Hop Beta OXALIC

Acids for varroa control Formic ACID (MAQS) % fewer overwintering colony losses with use (4 consecutive survey years : ; ; ) OXALIC ACID % fewer overwintering colony losses with use (2 consecutive survey years , ) HOPGUARD II - 10% fewer overwintering colony losses with use in one survey year ( ) Smart chemicals need some smarts to use

Do you use/have you used a miticide? Smart chemical for Dumb beekeeper APIVAR (Amitraz) % fewer overwintering colony losses with use (3 consecutive survey years; , and )

All about queens

Some seasons/colonies are tough…. Bee Counted Bee Informed Beeinformed.org

Thank you Go to survey results (top bar) Survey reports