Vermont Beekeepers Association

Apiology

Apiology – (from Latin apis, "bee"; and Ancient Greek -λογία, -logia) is the scientific study of honey bees.

Varroa destructor: A Complex Parasite, Crippling Honey Bees Worldwide

Varroa is also a highly efficient vector of honey bee viruses and drives changes in virus distribution, prevalence, and virulence.

More:Varroa Vector

Effect of Bodily Fluids from Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Larvae on Growth and Genome-Wide Transcriptional Response of the Causal Agent of American Foulbrood Disease (Paenibacillus larvae)

Paenibacillus larvae, the causal agent of American Foulbrood Disease (AFB), affect honey bee health worldwide.

More:AFB

Efficacy in the Varroa Mite, Varroa destructor, within commercial beekeeping operations

The parasitic mite Varroa destructor and the associated viruses it transmits are responsible for most instances of honey bee colony losses in the United States. As such, beekeepers utilize miticides to control Varroa populations. Widespread resistance has developed to the miticides fluvalinate and coumaphos. However, Varroa has largely maintained susceptibility to amitraz despite a long and extensive use history.

More:Amitraz

Coronavirus stings world's top honey makers with China beekeepers locked down

BEIJING (Reuters) - Beekeepers in China, the world's top honey producer, are bracing for a bleak start to the key spring pollinating season as travel curbs aimed at containing a coronavirus outbreak keep them at home while their bees go without food for weeks.

More: CoronaVirus

Functional Properties of Honey, Propolis, and Royal Jelly

Honey, propolis, and royal jelly, products originating in the beehive, are attractive ingredients for healthy foods. Honey has been used since ancient times as part of traditional medicine.

More: Propolis

What You Need to Know (And What We’re Working to Find Out) About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-derived Compounds, Including CBD

You may have noticed that cannabidiol (CBD) seems to be available almost everywhere, and marketed as a variety of products including drugs, food, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and animal health products.

More:Cannabis

A mathematical model of honey bee colony dynamics to predict the effect of pollen on colony failure

The decline in colony populations of the honey bee, known as the Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), is a global concern. Numerous studies have reported possible causes, including pesticides, parasites, and nutritional stress.

More: Pollen Model

Beekeeping in Vermont

Survey - Best Day for Online Meetings

VBA Members: Please take this one-question survey to help us plan future online meetings and seminars.

Since we've had to cancel this season's live workshops at our North and South bee yards due to COVID-19, we've been filling the void with online Zoom seminars on a variety of topics. So far, these meetings have taken place on Wednesday evenings but we want to be flexible if-needed. This survey simply asks which day works best for you to attend our online meetings.

The survey is open to VBA members. (You will need to login to the VBA website to take the survey.) Please complete by July 15.

Take the Survey

Details: Last Updated: 05 July 2020 05 July 2020

Pests & Diseases of the Honey Bee

Brooke Decker, Pollinator Specialist with the Vermont Department of Agriculture, Food & Markets presented Pests and Diseases of the Honey Bee to VBA members participating in an online conference.

The presentation covered a variety of topics and detailed what Vermont beekeepers need to watch in order to keep their colonies healthy. The complete presentation is available to everyone in a format that allows you to annotate or make notes on each page and is formatted to easily read on your mobile device. You can also zoom-in, download and print the pages.

The online conference is also available to VBA members by logging in to the site and going to our Webinars page.

Details: Last Updated: 26 June 2020 26 June 2020

You Mite Have a Problem...

Beekeepers in Vermont should be monitoring their hives for ALL diseases and pests. The Honey Bee Health Coalition has excellent information about how to check mite levels in your hives.

As VBA Secretary & Certified Beekeeper Fred Putnam said at this evening's online seminar on honey bee health, "Bees in dying colonies also "migrate" to hives at least 1/2 mile away carrying their mite and disease loads with them to healthy colonies and the native bee population." Which is a good reason for all of us to test our hives.

Details: Last Updated: 26 June 2020 26 June 2020

Registration & Health Certificates

Apiary Registration

As required by Vermont Statute, Title 6, Chapter 172, § 3022 & 3023. A person who is the owner of any bees, apiary, colony, or hive in the State shall register with the Secretary in writing on a form provided by the Secretary...and shall pay a $10.00 annual registration fee for each apiary location.

Registration for Apiaries starts on July 1st of each year. Renewal period is open from June 1st through June 30th each year.

Apiary Registration Form

Apiary Health Certificate

As required by Vermont Statute § 3028. Traffic in bees; inspection; certification. A person engaged in the rearing of bees for sale shall have his or her apiary inspected by the Secretary

VBA's Fred Putnam included this picture in an email sent to prospective buyers of his nucs. What a great idea! New beekeepers especially may not be aware of the importance of disease containment and how the Vermont Apiary Inspection program can help prevent the spread of disease. Please ask to see your provider's certificate before handing over your payment.

Details: Last Updated: 20 June 2020 20 June 2020

USDA to Measure Quarterly Colony Loss

In July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be collecting information about colony loss in the honey industry throughout the United States. The Quarterly Colony Loss survey will be conducted over the period of June 2020 through July 2020. This survey collects information about colony inventory and loss from more than 400 producers with honey bee colonies in the Northeastern Region of the United States.

Details: Last Updated: 19 June 2020 19 June 2020

AFB Update from the Bee Inspector

Hello Everyone -

I appreciate that you all are taking this very seriously. Being the only inspector in VT currently (hiring freeze due to Covid) and with the announcement of AFB - the calls and requests for inspections have increased greatly. While I have been able to prioritize inspections thus far, I know there are many anxious beekeepers in the state at the moment. This is where I see help from the local clubs coming in - If you are able to familiarize yourselves with AFB symptoms and utilize field tests when any suspect or questionable signs appear, this will greatly help us ALL prioritize the mitigation process. I recommend the clubs to purchase AFB and EFB Field test kits- The company will sell these in bulk- boxes of 40- for wholesale- I think $6 vs $15 retail- https://www.vita-europe.com/beehealth/products/afb-diagnostic-test-kit/.

Details: Last Updated: 16 June 2020 16 June 2020

Swarm Management and Control Techniques Workshop Online

If you missed our Zoom workshop on June 10, 2020, Andrew Munkres, VBA Vice-President presented on swarm management. Scott Wilson and Fred Putnam moderated.

To view the presentation recording, look on the VBA website under the Become a Beekeeper menu, then Education, Classes & Workshops for our recorded webinars. (Or, to make things easier simply go to www.vermontbeekeepers.org/webinars - login required.) All VBA webinars are also available for view.

Details: Last Updated: 10 June 2020 10 June 2020

AFB Confirmed in Vermont

American Foul Brood has been confirmed in 2 locations in VermontAmerican Foul Brood - ropiness test showing clinical confirmation

On Thursday May 28th, 2020 laboratory results confirmed multiple cases of American Foul Brood (AFB) Paenibacillus larvae, at an apiary in Orwell, Vermont and one case at an apiary in Windham County.

Beekeepers should familiarize themselves with AFB symptoms and observe carefully when inspecting colonies and equipment. Any suspect findings should be reported immediately to Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Pollinator Health Specialist, at 802-272-6688.

Details: Last Updated: 08 July 2020 08 July 2020