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

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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?

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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

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

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In the beginning

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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

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

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32.5% 31.7% 10.4% 73.4%

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9.5% 27.2% 66%+ 64%

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18.5% 25.6% 27.7% 19%

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

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Data from Burgett 1998 Normal 10-15%

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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%

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Losses and then big losses 2011 - Avg 29.9%

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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 GMOs, ETs, Cell phones, sunspots Current outlook 1/4 th CCD/B PMS 1/4 th mites 1/4 th Nosema 1/4 th management

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

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Beekeepers talk to Beekeepers

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Fall issues Disappearing bees in fall Snot brood Deadouts in fall pick-up rate Wintering issues Feeding issues

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Treatment Control Options Treatment Options Treat Dont Treat Hard Chemical IPM Soft Chemical or Organic Cultural or Mechanical + sanitation site Ventilation Drone trap Brood interupt + Oxalic + hopguard Apivar

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IPM toolbox

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Survivorship selection Opportunity

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Cultural options Small Cell size

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Physical-Mechanical Drone brood removal

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Treating with Chemical controls

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Use of specific products Dumb Chemicals for smart beekeepers

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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

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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

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Alternative material used Honey-B-Healthy

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Bees know best they dont need our care

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Doesnt mean chemical free (life is all about chemicals) Doesnt mean let alone beekeeping (it is difficult work to achieve!) Doesnt mean failure to manage (i.e the old system of being a BEE-HAVER or BEE HOSTER) Doesnt mean survivor stock Doesnt mean giving up !!!

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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 !

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

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

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