An IPM Series: The Importance of Monitoring for Pests and Diseases

Thursday, 28 September 2023

Beekeepers in Atlantic Canada are all too familiar with managing a variety of honey bee pests and diseases. Fortunately, they have a wide variety of tools available to ensure the health of their colonies. Using a variety of strategies to manage pests, including chemical, biological, cultural, and physical controls, as well as limiting the frequency of chemical treatments, is part of integrated pest management (IPM). Integrated pest management is the best management practice for beekeepers, as it aids in preventing an overreliance, and potential reduced efficacy, of chemical treatments. A key component to any beekeeper’s IPM plan is monitoring the population levels of pests and diseases. This week’s blog will discuss Varroa mite monitoring options, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and the overall importance of assessing pest population levels before and after any treatment.

An IPM Series: The Importance of Monitoring for Pests and Diseases

In Atlantic Canada, the pest most monitored for is Varroa destructor. Varroa are parasitic mites of honey bees that cause severe damage to colonies if left untreated. They cause damage through direct feeding on bees, and by the transmission of a variety of viruses. That is why it is important to monitor Varroa mites and treat against the pest when population levels reach the economic threshold. There are a variety of ways to sample colonies, both to determine if mites are present at levels that are damaging to the colony, and to assess the effectiveness of control measures.

Washing samples of adult bees is a common way to determine Varroa mite infestation levels. Both alcohol washes and ether rolls require a sample of 300 bees (1/2 cup) from the brood nest. These nurse bees are the most likely to have adult Varroa mites parasitizing them. However, the brood nest is also the most likely location of the queen, so it is important to either isolate her or make sure she is not on the frame being sampled. For directions on how to perform an alcohol wash or ether roll refer to ATTTA’s “Summer Disease and Pest Monitoring in Honey Bees” fact sheet. For an alcohol wash in May, the economic threshold is 2 mites per 100 bees, and in August it is 3 mites per 100 bees. For an ether roll in May, the economic threshold is 1 mite per 100 bees, and in August it is 2 mites per 100 bees. One advantage to washes is that there is a predetermined economic threshold to indicate if treatment is required. Additionally, washes only require one trip to the bee yard and results can be obtained instantly. A disadvantage of washes is that 300 or more bees are killed during the sampling. Also, when doing washes, only a small sample of the colony population is being assessed.

Alcohol wash (ATTTA©2021).

Sticky boards are an effective and easy way to assess mite levels in a colony. The sticky board is placed in a screen bottom board and after 24 hours it is removed, and the number of mites is counted. In May the economic threshold is 9 mites per 24 hours, and in August it is 12 mites per 24 hours. This method of monitoring also doubles as a physical (non-chemical) treatment to reduce Varroa mite numbers. A main advantage of sticky boards is the entire hive is the sample. Additionally, sticky boards do not kill bees or endanger the queen. A disadvantage of sticky boards is that they require two trips to the bee yard and potentially additional equipment.

There are also a couple of other less common monitoring options. The sugar shake method dislodges mites from bees. Like the washes, 1/2 a cup of bees is collected in a jar, and then the bees are coated in sugar which dislodges the mites. Once mites have been shaken out of the jar, the sugar-coated bees are returned to the hive. Another less common monitoring option is the CO2 method. In the CO2 method, bees and mites are anesthetized by exposure to carbon dioxide gas. The sample of bees is then gently shaken causing the mites to fall from the bees. The bees are then returned to the hive. The supposed advantage of both methods is that the bees are returned to the colony unharmed. This assumption of bees surviving the procedure is unproven. A disadvantage of both methods is that although it will detect the presence of mites, there is no standard economic threshold in Atlantic Canada for these methods.

It is essential to monitor for pests and disease not only before treating colonies, but also following treatment to know if the method of treatment was successful. For more information about the importance and challenges of IPM, be sure to read the next two blogs in this series.

Connecting with ATTTA Specialists

If you’d like to connect with ATTTA specialists or learn more about our program, you can:

visit our website at https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/honey-bees/

Email abyers@perennia.ca

Summary of Joint Event Between ATTTA and NLBKA

Thursday, 21 September 2023

This past weekend the Atlantic Tech Transfer Team for Apiculture (ATTTA) put on a joint event with the Newfoundland and Labrador Beekeeping Association (NLBKA). The event involved discussions between ATTTA, NLBKA, the NL Provincial Apiarist, and representatives from the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture. The team also facilitated a course called “You Want to be a Beekeeper”, which provided essential information for new beekeepers. Read today’s blog to learn more about this event, and what is occurring in the Newfoundland and Labrador beekeeping industry.

Summary of Joint Event Between ATTTA and NLBKA

This past Saturday night, important discussions took place in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland about the NL beekeeping industry. All members of the NLBKA were invited to attend this meeting in-person or virtually and provided the opportunity to participate in discussions with representatives from the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, and members of the executive of the NLBKA. The Atlantic Tech Transfer Team for Apiculture was privileged to participate in these conversations.

Many important topics came up during this discussion, some of which included: NL beekeeper registration, apiary inspections, restrictions and regulations for transporting bees and equipment within NL, keeping NL Varroa mite free, continued education for new and existing NL beekeepers, and biosecurity practices. Additionally, there was a virtual presentation from Fletcher Colpitts (Retired New Brunswick Chief Apiary Inspector) on the findings from his June 2023 NL hive inspections. The event was very well attended by NLBKA members across the province, and the discussion that occurred highlighted the dedication NL beekeepers have for keeping their province Varroa mite free, while working towards growing their industry.


Members of the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Beekeeping Association, participated in the “Fundamentals of Beekeeping” course by ATTTA and Dalhousie Extended Learning this past Saturday afternoon.

The joint event continued Sunday September 17th, where ATTTA and NLBKA provided a course titled “You Want to be a Beekeeper”. This was a preliminary course for anyone thinking of becoming a beekeeper. Topics covered included: history of beekeeping, beekeeping regulation in NL, some of the challenges and benefits of becoming a beekeeper, considerations for apiary locations, hive products, pollination in NL, selling bees, beekeeping equipment and associated costs, and a brief discussion on the importance of keeping NL Varroa mite free. The course was a great insight for people considering becoming either a hobbyist or commercial scale beekeeper.

A common theme of the weekend was the importance of keeping NL Varroa mite free. It is illegal to import bees and used equipment without a permit from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Both the NL Government and NLBKA agree that this policy will not change while NL remains Varroa mite free, and it is a main goal of the NL beekeeping industry to keep Varroa out of their province. Currently, Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the last places in the world that remains free of this damaging parasite. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all beekeepers to help Newfoundland and Labrador remain Varroa free. If you want to learn more about Varroa mites, and how NL works to remain free of the pest, read the “Varroa Action Plan of Newfoundland and Labrador”: https://www.nlbeekeeping.com/varroa-action-plan.

Connecting with ATTTA Specialists

If you’d like to connect with ATTTA specialists or learn more about our program, you can:

visit our website at https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/honey-bees/

Email abyers@perennia.ca