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.
Tag Archives varroa mites
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.
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?
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.
Varroa mites compound bee winter losses
Beekeepers blame parasitic varroa mites, waning treatment control for bee mortality
Varroa mite and waning treatment control cited as major causes of Manitoba beekeeper loss this spring
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
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
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
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
Another bad season for bees
Experts explore the reasons for bee population declines -- and ways to mitigate the problem
Beekeepers reported high losses over the winter and experts are exploring the reasons and seeking ways to mitigate future colony declines. Ian Steppler, president of the Manitoba Beekeepers Association, said Manitoba’s losses this year are extremely high. “We’re nearly at a 60 per cent loss right across Manitoba right now, the highest loss in Canada
VIDEO: Beekeepers opt for closed border on U.S. bulk bees
Bulk bee imports from the U.S. have been closed for decades, and Manitoba’s beekeepers say they would like it to stay that way
Manitoba’s beekeeping sector won’t be endorsing any push to reopen the U.S. border to American bulk bee shipments. In late February, a majority of members at the Manitoba Beekeepers’ Association (MBA) annual meeting shot down a resolution to support the Canadian Honey Council, should the national industry group ever lobby the federal government to allow
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