Highlights: 2020 was an even better year for honey, overall, for NYS than 2019. There are usually boom or bust harvests in different parts of the state most years, but about 80% of beekeepers entered that they were pleased or somewhat pleased with their production, with northern, western, south central regions, and even Long Island, doing better than most. Some areas did experience drought like conditions in the eastern parts of the state, requiring extra care for the bees; this may impact wintering. 19% were not pleased with the honey crop.
About 35% of beekeepers do not monitor varroa mite levels, a continued improvement on previous years (2019 40%). Many beekeepers that do not check assume that they have varroa and proactively apply treatment. One hive was found to have a 60% mite infestation, which the beekeeper euthanized.
Beekeepers replenished winter loss, generally doubling hive numbers by the end of the year.
The top 3 problems that respondents had with their bees are: varroa mites, small hive beetle, queen failure; Yellow jackets were also a problem. PDF version of general NYS results Comments submitted Western Region; North Central; South Central; Central; Northern; Eastern; South Eastern;NYC Metro (Long Island)
Please send any comments, suggestions, or questions. Please watch for the2021 NY Bee Wellness Spring Survey.
Winter Inspection:
In most hives queens have begun laying the first eggs of the year, mid-winter starts the most vulnerable times for the hive as bees attend to a growing brood area, but are restricted by cold and the availability of food to the cluster. While brood areas are small, varroa mite management can be done. Be sure the bees have enough food in proximity to the cluster.
Hive covers can be removed briefly on windless, sunny days to add feed, and check hive strength. No Cook sugar board instructions. Pie plates or other containers can be used, as well as drawn comb.
Quick and easy: add perforated newspaper on frames, pour out a 4# bag of granulated sugar; a shim or super can be added beneath the inner cover for room.
Yes, weather is a big factor in Honey Bee health:
"Summer weather conditions influence winter survival of honey bees (Apis mellifera) in the northeastern United States", citation here. "In colonies where beekeepers controlled for Varroa mite populations, weather factors, particularly summer temperatures and precipitation for the prior year, were the strongest predictors of overwintering survival in European honey bee colonies in Pennsylvania in our data set. Topographic factors and landscape quality factors (forage and insecticide toxic load) were not important, contrary to expectations."https://www.miragenews.com/summer-weather-conditions-influence-winter-508064/
Request from Randy Oliver: Subject:Thermal treatment for varroa
Hi All,
I tested thermal treatment for varroa this summer in California, and didn't as good results as many beekeepers to the east are reporting. Could anyone who has tried thermal treatment and taken mite washes or performed brood dissection afterwards (to check for mite kill) please share your results with me ? Thanks,
randy@randyoliver.com; Randy Oliver; Grass Valley, CA; 530 277 4450; ScientificBeekeeping.com.
Shift to using in the early Spring instead of the Fall- the cluster size is smaller, needing fewer strips (saves $).
Erradicating varroa in the Spring is crucial for low late summer varroa levels.
Beekeepers must use accurate dosing: if cluster size is 5 frames, use 1 strip; if cluster size is 7 frames, use 2 strips, etc. Do not skimp with dosage.
Oxalic Vaporization:
Choose a model with temperature control.
Cool cup between each application.
There is too much off label use of oxalic, and misuse resulting in ineffective varroa mite control.
RIP Aaron Morris
1954-2021
Aaron was one of those precious, unique individuals that come around only every so often. A jovial bon vivant, he enjoyed being with people and offering his companionship and advice. His biggest accomplishment was being the owner and moderator of Bee-L, the oldest longest continuously running listserv forum devoted to the discussion of beekeeping and bee biology since 1995, full obituary link here
Since the unfortunate passing of Aaron Morris, Allen Dick is now moderator for Bee-L. He is an esteemed beekeeper from Manitoba, Canada, and former co-moderator of Bee-L. To Subscribe
a 30 minute podcast; Jay Evans explains some promising efforts, telling listeners:
What the main stressors for bees are, from diseases to pests,
Why protecting a middle-aged bee from stressors impacts the entire colony, and
What exciting new management strategies are in the works, including botanical medicines for bees.
Jay Evans is with the USDA ARS Bee Research Laboratory in Maryland
Tree and shrub sale
Now is the time to order plantings for the spring to benefit your bees!
Contact your local NYS Soil & Water Conservation District for a list of seedlings, plantings available for order and pick-up. DEC SITE
Tulip Poplar Tree blooms
Great for bees
Using a treatment like Oxalic Acid can help clean up any leftover mites that managed to elude a late summer/early fall treatment. See the following link for the protocol to apply via the drizzle method. Oxalic Acid Drizzle Protocol
NY Bee Wellness keeps their videos FREE and available to you! Your donation furthers the goals of our outreach.
Hive Sterilization Program for New York State- Interest Survey
Input is needed to show interest in irradiating hives to reduce pathogens in frames and other hive parts here in New York State.
Pennsylvania has a program: https://www.montcopabees.org/Irradiation
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The COVID-19 outbreak continues to disrupt our operations. We are still not able to be fully operational. The USDA is currently implementing safety measures in phases to ensure personnel can return safely to their duties.
In this initial phase, the Bee Disease Diagnostic Lab's capacity to process samples will be limited. We are encouraging inspectors and beekeepers to submit only comb/smear samples to prevent brood disease outbreaks.
We will post future updates when we can accept adult bees and other samples for processing. Please continue to reach out to Samuel Abban at Samuel.abban@usda.gov with your questions and concerns.
The newest: 1) Keeping Pest and Pathogens of Honey Bees in Check- Medhat Nasr
2) Colony Management: Fall to Spring with Larry Connor
3) Apiary & Hive Inspection with a NYS Inspector
4) "Varroa….Again? Ugh!" by Jerry Hayes
5) Randy Oliver talks about his latest work concerning varroa mites
6) Virus & Nosema Testing for Honey Bees, Dave Wick, BVS Inc
7) Spring Increase & Swarms, Doolittle Nuc Making, Dr Larry Connor
Your support continues the work of NY Bee Wellness, a grassroots, non-membership educational non-profit dedicated to new, beginning, and small scale beekeeping. If you benefit from the info, videos, workshops, surveys, website, or know of someone who does, pleaseDONATE!
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***** Donations can also be sent to:
NY Bee Wellness POB 25291 Rochester NY 14625
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Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Sincerely, - Pat Bono, Project Director, NY Bee Wellness
Pat@NYBeeWellness.org
For the results of previous surveys, please see the website (NYBeeWellness.org). Remember, results are broken down by regions within New York State.
