A beekeeper lifts a frame out of a beehive box. Beekeepers in Canada have been fighting a hard fight against pests and bee mortality in the last few years.

A Canadian idea to save the bees

ApiSave could reduce bee death and act as a new pesticide against foulbrood and varroa mites, the company says, but it has to pass registration in Canada first.

Canada’s beekeepers are losing hives to issues like foulbrood and varroa mites. A B.C. company hopes their product, ApiSave, will help turn the tide for Canadian honeybees.

FEATURE: Beekeepers in a corner against varroa mites

FEATURE: Beekeepers in a corner against varroa mites

Resistance concerns are growing with chemical control products and the alternatives are finicky. What’s a beekeeper to do?

Resistance concerns are growing with popular chemical varroa mite control products, while alternatives like folic acid, oxalic acid or thymol products are finicky. What’s a beekeeper to do?


U.S. queen bees are allowed in Canada due to perceived lower risk, but some in the sector would like trade extended to bulk packaged bees.

Pieces moving again on U.S. bulk bee debate

Should Canada allow U.S. packaged bees? From industry group consultations to courtrooms, the topic is heating up

Industry groups wanting a reopened border for bulk packaged bees from the U.S. are pulling together risk mitigation proposals. Meanwhile, the issue also took centre stage recently in a federal courtroom.



Previous invasions of varroa mite have been successfully eradicated before establishing, but last year the mite managed to spread in Australia’s southeast.

Comment: Australia in unique position to eliminate varroa mite

The parasite is a scourge to the North American honey sector, but Down Under, the pest is still new

Last year, varroa mites reached Australia. The parasites are notorious in beekeeping circles, and an established population would have significant implications for agricultural food security in Australia, as honeybees are vital for the pollination of many crops. But while Australia is the last continent to be invaded by the mite, it has an opportunity to

“They’re still kind of suffering those economic losses a bit and still trying to recoup their numbers.” – Derek Micholson, Manitoba Agriculture.

Beekeepers off to a better start in 2023

Normal bee mortality would be a boon for the beekeeping sector after dismal rates last year

Manitoba’s beekeepers are once again fighting “spring dwindle,” but winter losses are closer to normal compared to last year. “I’m not getting the absolute demoralizing reports from beekeepers,” said Manitoba Beekeepers Association president Ian Steppler. “I think we still have a high winter loss, but not as severe as last year’s.” Why it matters: The