Keys to successful overwintering Dewey M Caron Univ

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

Seasonal perspective

What do successful Fall (and overwintered) colonies look like? � 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?

Some of the challenges � 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, � Mite BEE MITES relationship not a good one

Bees in decline � 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 Varroa mite HB tracheal mite CCD

In the beginning

Century+ of Disappearing Bees � 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 year loss survey 2014 ~600, 000 col ~7200 indiv Acceptable Colony Loss level

2010 National Survey – 34. 4% Loss 32. 5% 73. 4% 31. 7% 10. 4%

2011 National Survey 29. 9% Loss 9. 5% 27. 2% 66%+ 64%

2012 National survey – 22. 5% loss 18. 5% 19% 25. 6% 27. 7%

2013 National survey - 30. 6% loss 22% TOTAL SEASON US=45. 2% - MA =58. 7% (160 indiv)

Loss by beekeeper by colony size

Self-reported ‘reason’ for loss

10 year PNW losses – post mites Data from Burgett 1998 Normal 10 -15%

Summary of OR/WA losses 156 indiv 41. 2% avg 33. 7% 38% 18. 1% 19 indiv 19. 7% Ave 31. 1% 22. 2%% 2013 National 6300 indiv 30. 6% - 22% total col

Losses and then big losses 2011 - Avg 29. 9%

Likely culprits Current outlook 1/4 th CCD/B PMS 1/4 th mites 1/4 th Nosema � Disease epidemic 1/4 th management ◦ 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

Survivorship � 2012 National approximately 45% (99. 5% backyarders) had NO LOSS � 2013 PNW 33% small-scale beekeepers had NO LOSS

Bee. Informed. org � Beekeepers talk to Beekeepers

Early warning signs � Fall “issues” � Disappearing bees in fall � “Snot” brood � Deadouts in fall � ‘pick-up rate’ � Wintering issues � Feeding issues

Frame Reading

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

IPM toolbox

Opportunity Survivorship selection

Cultural options Small Cell size

Physical-Mechanical Drone brood removal

Northern vs southern states

Treating with Chemical controls

Use of specific products Dumb Chemicals for smart beekeepers

Apivar® � Effective tool specially designed for Varroa Mite management in bee colonies • Controlled-release strips formulated with 3. 3% Amitraz (0. 5 g active per 15 g strip) Smart Chemicals for d____ beekeepers

Treatment one size doesn’t fit all � Passive – screen bottom board; apiary site; hygienic stock, natural comb � Minimal -- Miticide Apivar – [>honey removal] � Aggressive � Spring treatment – Essential oils (Apiguard Api. Life 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

Feeding � Bees know best – they don’t need our care

Treatment-free � 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 !!!

Why treatment-free? � 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 !

What needs to be different? � The bee hive? � The apiary? � The management? � The Bee

What needs to be different? ? A treatment-free? ? e v i H ? – t e n r e e em h g g n a o r Man w is � Supporting at h W y r a pi ee B ?

Some seasons/colonies are tough….

Questions