Winter losses: better news this year

Thanks to all 411 Ontario beekeepers who answered OBA's short survey on winter losses. The brevity of the survey limits its statistical certainty, but the number of responses gives us a degree of confidence that it provides a reasonable snapshot of what is happening in our bee yards.

Results can be found on the website, but here are some highlights:

46.1% of respondents reported losses of 25% or less (compared to 28.4% in 2014).
29.5% of respondents reported 15% or less.
21.6% of respondents reported more than 75% losses (compared to 25.1% in 2014).
34.6% said bees doing 'better' or 'much better' than 2014.
28.2% said bees doing 'worse' or 'much worse' than 2014.
Top three causes suspected: colonies too small, normal winter losses, pesticides.
Least three causes suspected: overload of varroa, problem with queen, insufficient stores.
'Some' or 'most' bee colonies of 70.5% of respondents were located within 3 km of corn or soy crops.

Based on the survey, OBA is estimating winter losses this year to be in the range of 30-35%, certainly better than last year's 58%, but still higher than our pre-neonic norm of 15%. We'll know more with greater depth and certainty when CAPA's report comes out in July.

Again, thanks to everyone who took the time to answer the survey.

OBA talks bees with Environment Minister, Glen Murray

"...we need to base our decisions on whether there is a preponderance of evidence of thoughtful, independent scientists to make a measured judgment that there is enough risk to a species - or to the integrity of an ecosystem - that the government should act to prevent irreversible damage..."

The Ontario Bee Journal this month provides an in-depth interview with the Minister related to the government's recently released draft regulations to restrict the use of neonicotinoids on corn and soy. Although the OBJ is generally restricted to OBA members, we are providing the interview article to everyone due the the important and relevant information it provides. Thanks goes to André Flys of Pioneer Brand Honey, who hosted the Minister. It was a great day. If you would like to receive the full issue (and future issues) of OBJ you can join here.

How to report bee kills this spring.

If you suspect that your bees have been affected by spring planting of corn or soy, contact PMRA at the Regional Office this year at 519-826-2895. For information on how to identify pesticide related incidents take a look at an article in OBA e-news April 2014.

From a member: further info on ticks.

OBA members Sharon and George Overton write: "We were told years ago that the ticks' intermediary host is the good old deer mouse, so beekeepers unwrapping hives from the winter should be careful, not only of ticks from the ground, but also from any mouse nests in the hive tops as they are unwrapped and the straw or whatever was used to stop condensation in the hive is removed, as it is a spot the mice will have wintered. The immature ticks are virtually invisible, so watch for signs of infection, even without obvious tick bites."

Novometrix survey: what's OBA's role?We've been getting some questions about OBA's relationship to the Novometrix survey that we circulated to those who have opted-in to our mailing list. OBA agreed to do this in the interest of research and to assist this government-funded project. However, we are not directly involved as a sponsor or partner and will be reviewing the data on behalf of our industry as we would with all relevant research results.

Cool video: honey bee metamorphosis.

Amazing video from National Geographic of bee metamorphosis from tiny hatching eggs to quivering pupae to hair sprouting adults. You can even see the varroa jumping into the cell. Well worth the 60 seconds. View it.

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