Last week the Atlantic Tech Transfer Team for Apiculture held a drop-in clinic in Charlottetown, PEI in partnership with the Prince Edward Island Beekeepers’ Association and the provincial apiarist. This event provided an opportunity for island beekeepers to discuss a range of important topics with our team. Read this week’s blog to learn more about discussions of colony management on PEI, and for information on upcoming events.
Discussions of Colony Management on Prince Edward Island
Last
Wednesday, October 29th, the ATTTA team hosted a drop-in clinic for
PEI beekeepers. This event was in partnership with the PEI Beekeepers’ Association
(PEIBA) and the provincial apiarist, Cameron Menzies. A wide range of topics
were discussed among the small group of attendees mostly around preparing
hives for winter and managing pests and diseases.
The group had a good discussion around preparing hives for winter and a
few key recommendations for island beekeepers were addressed. To start,
excessive moisture during the winter months can be a challenge for PEI
beekeepers, and it is highly recommended that beekeepers take appropriate steps
to mitigate moisture accumulating in the hive and dripping onto the cluster of
bees. Providing hives with upper ventilation will allow air to flow through the
colony to help prevent moisture from condensing on the inner and/or outer
cover. Beekeepers can also consider using a quilt box to absorb moisture.
Shavings or straw are commonly used to fill quilt boxes. Hives should be tilted
slightly forward (angle of 1 to 3◦) to allow for water drainage.
Finally, a reminder that beekeepers need to put insulating material on the top
of their colonies just under the outer cover. A 2-inch sheet of Styrofoam is a
good option for insulating the top of a hive. For additional information on
preparing hives for winter, beekeepers should read last week’s blog “Preparing your hives for winter in the Maritimes”.
The group discussed a few
other topics related to winter preparation, including fall feeding (see last
week’s blog), when to put shrew guards on (recommendation is late November),
and treating for Varroa mites in the fall. Naturally, the discussion of mite
treatments led into an overview of what miticides are available, when various
treatments are appropriate to use, and what products beekeepers can expect in
the future. The Pest
Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has recently registered a new Varroa mite
treatment known as VarroxSanTM, which contains the active ingredient
oxalic acid dihydrate. Beekeepers can potentially expect this product to be
available for purchase next spring. To learn more about VarroxSanTM
read next week’s blog which will cover details of the product’s use.
During the
clinic, the provincial apiarist, Cameron Menzies, addressed questions regarding
moving and selling bees within province and outside of the province. PEI is
unique from other Maritime provinces where selling bees within the province
does not require an inspection but is an encouraged practice. Similar to other
Maritime provinces, buying and selling bees outside of the province does
require a provincial inspection. Additionally, moving bees for pollination
services within the province of PEI does not require an inspection but it would
require one if moving bees outside the province to pollinate. All beekeepers
should be familiar with the rules and regulations for beekeeping in their
respective province.
ATTTA would
like to thank all the beekeepers who attended and participated in this event.
Now that the beekeeping season is finishing up, over the next few months there
will be great opportunities for education and networking events for beekeepers
in the Maritime region. The ATTTA team will be hosting a series of winter
workshops starting on November 25th, which are available to all
members of the PEI Beekeepers’ Association (PEIBA) and the PEI Wild Blueberry
Growers’ Association (PEIWBGA). Both the PEIBA and PEIWBGA will be hosting an
annual general meeting this winter (dates to be announced) which provide updates
on the PEI beekeeping and wild blueberry industries, and also provide a good
opportunity for networking. There are other industry events, and training
opportunities offered by ATTTA, to be expected this winter season. The ATTTA
team will continue to share details of upcoming events, and we look forward to
engaging with members of the PEI beekeeping and wild blueberry industries.
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