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


A varroa mite feeds on a honeybee during its pupa stage.

New control for varroa mites on the horizon

University of Manitoba researchers look to CO2 to help beat back the parasite

Research at the University of Manitoba involves a promising and inexpensive control for varroa mites in honeybee colonies. Professor Rob Currie, head of the school’s department of entomology, is exploring the use of carbon dioxide to help mitigate mite infestations. The elevator pitch behind the treatment is that varroa mites have a higher sensitivity to

Varroa mites feeding on honeybee pupae.

Control slipping on varroa mites

Anecdotal and small scale studies continue to suggest that a leading varroa mite control product may no longer be enough

The quest to find effective varroa mite control has given producers little respite this year, according to the Manitoba Beekeepers Association. Chair Ian Steppler says producers are once again reporting varroa infestations. “There are producers who are talking about not being able to keep the mite counts down, so that’s the only concern about our