1. Dewey M. Caron Univ Delaware Emeritus Affiliate Professor OSU Besides Location, Location, Location dmcaron@udel.edu

3.  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?

4.  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

5. Honey bee colony health has declined since late 40’s Accelerated decline in 90’s w/ bee mite increases Mysterious syndromes - 2000 Bee PMS–CCD since 2007 HB tracheal mite Varroa mite CCD

6. In the beginning

7.  1869 – USA - IN, KY & TN  1891&1896 - May Disease (Stonebrood (Aspergillus)  1905 – 1919 Isle of Wight Disease  1915 - Disappearing Disease Portland OR,  1917 – Autumn Collapse Disease NJ NY OH Canada  1963 – southern U.S. - Lou to Ca fall dwindling  1975 - 27 US states & Mexico Pesticide Deaths – Indemnification 11 yrs  1995-96 NE & PA Epidemic  2001 Bee PMS & 2007 CCD

8. 2014 ~600,000 col ~7200 indiv Acceptable Colony Loss level

9. 32.5% 31.7% 10.4% 73.4%

10. 9.5% 27.2% 66%+ 64%

11. 18.5% 25.6% 27.7% 19%

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

15. Data from Burgett 1998 Normal 10-15%

16. 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%

17. Losses and then big losses 2011 - Avg 29.9%

18.  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

19. 2012 National approximately 45% (99.5% backyarders) had NO LOSS 2013 PNW 33% small-scale beekeepers had NO LOSS

20.  Beekeepers talk to Beekeepers

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

23. 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

24. IPM toolbox

25. Survivorship selection Opportunity

27. Cultural options Small Cell size

29. Physical-Mechanical Drone brood removal

32. Treating with Chemical controls

33. Use of specific products Dumb Chemicals for smart beekeepers

34. 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

35.  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

36. Alternative material used Honey-B-Healthy

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

38.  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 !!!

39.  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 !

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

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