Chemical Free Beekeeping? Extension/Research Apiculturist Department Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology & Plant Pathology Mississippi State University, MS Jeff Harris Mississippi Agricultural & Forestry Experiment Station

Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman

Damage to Bees: Viruses!!!

Parasitic Mite Syndrome (the end is near)

Regimented Chemical Use (apply chemicals routinely in spring and late summer)

Advantages No thinking  just doing (assembly line) No thinking  just doing (assembly line) Can be effective early in a pest control program Can be effective early in a pest control program Saves labor costs often associated with non- chemical means Saves labor costs often associated with non- chemical means

Chemicals in bee colonies may lead to: contaminated wax and honey mites that are resistant to chemicals harmful effects to bees

Chemical Control of Varroa 1 st legal varroacide; 1987 from Mavrik® 1990 as Apistan®; 0.7 g active ingredient per strip 10% moves into hive components over 8 weeks pyrethroids poison Na+ channels of nerves tau-fluvalinate

Varroa mites resistant to chemical by 1995 Health effects on honey bees – Smaller queens – Low survival of drones – Low body weight of drones – Reduced sperm counts from drones 5 year half-life for residues in hives

The darling of our industry

Whatcha gonna do?

Insecticide Treadmill

Never Use Chemicals (let my bees survive without the use of drugs)

Cultural & Physical Methods Increase distance between colonies in apiary Increase distance between colonies in apiary Increase distance between apiaries Increase distance between apiaries Place colonies in irregular groups and not rows Place colonies in irregular groups and not rows Paint hives different colors Paint hives different colors Don’t put sick and dying colonies onto stronger ones Don’t put sick and dying colonies onto stronger ones Drone Trapping Drone Trapping Use Varroa-resistant bee stock Use Varroa-resistant bee stock

Advantages My honey and wax are more likely to be free of harmful chemicals My honey and wax are more likely to be free of harmful chemicals My bees will not suffer from toxic effects of insecticides My bees will not suffer from toxic effects of insecticides

Disadvantages Bee colonies will die from varroa mites Bee colonies will die from varroa mites Most small scale beekeepers cannot control breeding of their bees Most small scale beekeepers cannot control breeding of their bees If a small scale beekeeper is isolated, the risks of inbreeding are high If a small scale beekeeper is isolated, the risks of inbreeding are high

Have you got your Plan B all worked out?

Any change is “impossible”… until you start doing it.

Sugar Shake 300 worker bees from brood-nest 300 worker bees from brood-nest 1 fluid oz. = 100 bees 1 fluid oz. = 100 bees 2 Tablespoons of powdered sugar 2 Tablespoons of powdered sugar Coat the bees, wait 3-5 minutes, shake out sugar and mites Coat the bees, wait 3-5 minutes, shake out sugar and mites

Alcohol Wash (70% ethanol) (alternative : drops liquid dish detergent per pint of water)

that you found 5 mites for every 100 adult bees sampled 5% threshold for late summer means: that you found 5 mites for every 100 adult bees sampled

Colonies should be spread throughout apiaryColonies should be spread throughout apiary Use average mite load to decide if whole apiary is treatedUse average mite load to decide if whole apiary is treated

Position of Drone Frames Brood Nest (view from top) WHHWHHWDWD

ARS Russian Honey Bees from far-eastern Russia from far-eastern Russia believed to have longest exposure to Varroa mites believed to have longest exposure to Varroa mites selectively bred at Baton Rouge lab selectively bred at Baton Rouge lab good varroa resistance good varroa resistance good tracheal mite resistance good tracheal mite resistance good overwintering good overwintering

Varroa Sensitive Hygiene

Minnesota Hygienic Bees

sample (1%) JanFebMarAprilMayJuneJulyAugSeptOctNovDec sample (5-10%) Apistan, Apivar, etc.Thymol, Formic Acid, etc. Honey Production Winter Bee Production Did treatment work?

Varroa IPM Summary Sample in February and again in August/SeptemberSample in February and again in August/September Treat with chemicals only when mite populations exceed thresholdsTreat with chemicals only when mite populations exceed thresholds Use a resistant stockUse a resistant stock Use drone comb as trapsUse drone comb as traps Use screen floorsUse screen floors

Gilles San Martin