Looking at Mites
Peter Hadeka tells us "I placed Formic Pro, 2 pad dose, on 9/7. Cleaned IPM boards. Slid out today and saw many, many mites dead.
"These hives tested only 2% to 3%, but when multiplied by thousands of bees they add up. I was always under the impression that Formic didn't really kill many phoretic mites.
"I guess it does !!!!"
Fred Putnam responds by saying "Besides killing mites in capped brood, Formic kills phoretic mites (the few that are running around unattached to a bee) and ectoparasitic mites (the bulk of the emerged mites that are attached to the bees.)"
Still time to test and treat. Please watch Fred's Mite Management, Counting & Treatment video for details.
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- Last Updated: 13 September 2020 13 September 2020
If You Missed our Mite Management Workshop...
VBA Recording Secretary and Certified Beekeeper Fred Putnam presented a Zoom workshop on mite management techniques yesterday. Despite some technical difficulties we recorded it and have made it available on the VBA website. The workshop included a pre-recorded video at one of Fred's apiaries demonstrating an alcohol wash. We've edited the recorded workshop to include the original video so the replay is of a higher quality - we encourage you to view it if for no other reason than to learn how to do an alcohol wash.
The documentation mentioned in the workshop is also available at www.vermontbeekeepers.org/mites.
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- Last Updated: 23 August 2020 23 August 2020
VBA Statement on American Foulbrood
VBA Recording Secretary Fred Putnam wrote the following document that describes how the Vermont Beekeepers Association is addressing American Foulbrood in Vermont.
We want to address concerns about American Foulbrood (AFB) in two ways:
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The broader perspective about AFB in Vermont along with what is being done specifically.
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Provide information to help you identify AFB in your own colonies.
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- Last Updated: 12 August 2020 12 August 2020
AFB Reported in Bristol
Brooke Decker
Pollinator Health Specialist
State Apiculturist
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
American Foul Brood Announcement
August 12, 2020
American Foul Brood (AFB) Paenibacillus larva has been confirmed at an apiary located in Bristol, Vermont.
The multiple hives and associated equipment have been destroyed by fire by the beekeeper. The remaining colonies are under quarantine and enhanced inspection protocols.
Beekeepers should remain diligent in their hive inspections. Weak, declining, or dead-out hives should be closely examined for scale and clinical symptoms of AFB, before being reused.
Samples of comb, bees, brood or larvae can be sent to the USDA Beltsville Laboratory in Maryland, for analysis.
Enhanced cleaning protocols should be adopted after inspections of colonies suspected of any disease or pathogen, especially AFB. Regularly sterilizing your hive tool, gloves, smoker, and clothing is a recommended best practice for all beekeeping operations.
Any suspect findings of AFB must be reported immediately to Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets-
Brooke Decker
Pollinator Health Specialist / State Apiculturist
802-272-6688
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- Last Updated: 12 August 2020 12 August 2020