Continuing with the series on early spring management and an outlook on the 2025 beekeeping season across Atlantic Canada, this week’s blog will discuss early season beekeeping trends across Prince Edward Island. Read this week’s blog to learn the highlights of how PE colonies faired through winter, trends in spring food stores, and how colonies are building up this spring.
2025 season outlook – PE
Across the island early anecdotal reports of colony
loss have been variable with beekeepers reporting anywhere between 5-75% colony
winter loss. The overall trend is that PE is likely to have a lower winter loss
than the previous year, which was a record high for the province at 61%, and
the industry is optimistic that this year’s average will be closer to the
national 5-year average of 33%. It is still early in the season to confirm the
province’s average winter loss, and an official report will be provided later
in the season from the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists
(CAPA) and from the Prince Edward Island provincial apiarist.
It is always important to investigate why colonies were
lost during the winter season. Last year the top identified reasons for colony
loss in PE included weak colonies in the fall, poor queens, weather, and
ineffective varroa control. Anecdotally, beekeepers in PE have reported that
weak colonies in the fall and poor queens may be a contributing factor to
colony loss this year. The CAPA report will provide the final information on
what PE beekeepers have identified as top reasons for colony loss for 2024-2025.
The PE industry has had opportunity this spring to
check on colony build up and do early spring activities such as placing Apivar®
strips and providing supplemental pollen sources to boost colony production. Anecdotally,
beekeepers report that surviving hives have good food stores coming out of
winter and minimal spring feeding of fondant or syrup has been required. Overall,
PE beekeepers are continuing to check on colony buildup this spring and are
getting their plans in place for pollination later this month.
PE beekeepers should be monitoring food stores as they
progress through spring and provide feed when needed until there is an
abundance of natural pollen and/or nectar available. Additionally, as the
number of good beekeeping days starts to increase, beekeepers should be doing
monthly monitoring for varroa mites and provide treatment when indicated. For
any questions regarding spring management please reach out to the ATTTA team.
We wish all Prince Edward Island beekeepers a great start to the 2025 season!
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 attta@perennia.ca