Inspector's Report Winter 2006-pg 3

By Steve Parise - Apiculturist

Vermont Agency of Agriculture

Inspector's Report - Winter 2006

As I write this report in mid-January, the winter so far has been mild. Snow cover is about gone here in the southern Champlain Valley, with many green patches showing in fields. With the exception on one short cold spell in mid-December, temperatures have been running normal to above normal. Precipitation has been above normal especially when adding in all the rain from late fall. This should bode well for this spring and summers plant growth, as soil moisture is abundant.

As I have mentioned in previous winter reports, it will soon be time to check a few hives, if you feel you have the experience and need to do so. For beginners, you may simply want to see if your bees are out flying around. Another way to check to see if hives are alive is to put your ear against the side of the hive and give it a knock or two on the side. Hopefully, you will hear a low humming or buzzing that increases in volume when you knock. You may have to try a few spots to listen to, as the cluster may be away from the side where you are listening.

If you are more experienced, have a fair number of hives, or just can’t wait, then it is possible to open a few hives to take a brief look. Usually there will be a day or two in late January or February that will work. A review of several years of my own apiary records show first check dates of Feb. 4, 7, 12, 16, and 20. Pick a day with sun, little wind and a temperature of at least 50 degrees. Temporarily remove any winter packing, and using minimal smoke, gently open the hives to evaluate the cluster location and food stores. Remove the inner cover and see if there are any bees in the upper box. They may be right up in the top box, or down lower in the hive. Ideally, the cluster will cover at least 5 to 7 frames and be located in the center of the box. The outer combs should contain sealed honey. If you find the cluster all to one side or the other, it is advisable to re-center it. It is not necessary to remove a comb to look for brood, as you may accidentally damage (or worse) the queen. It may be necessary to look between the two boxes to get a good idea of the cluster size and location. If you do this, be sure to adequately smoke the bees before putting the boxes back together to avoid crushing bees. A quick inspection will not harm the bees if done with care. Close up the hive and replace the winter packing. Often a minor adjustment in cluster location and/or adding or moving a few frames of honey will pay dividends later in the spring, and may even save a colony. (Use combs of honey saved from last season, or from a dead hive, as long as it is disease free). Make a few notes on what you found so that colonies needing attention in early spring can be attended to first.

Another benefit of this early inspection is to get an idea of colony survival, strength and potential for spring splits. This information will be very helpful in determining potential equipment needs for the spring and for ordering queens for re-queening or splits. If you decide to order queens and/or packages, now is the time to do so. Check the bee journals for suppliers and prices. Speaking of prices, packages appear to be running around $60 - $90 for a 3# package, plus postage. Demand is expected to be high again this year, so best to check with suppliers as soon as possible.

The 2005 honey crop was generally good, with some areas reporting very good averages. There have even been a few reports of colonies yielding 200+ pounds per colony. The color and flavor was good and moisture was a bit higher than normal, probably due to the wet fall.

On the varroa control front, in 2006 we will have the same products as ‘05 available for use, namely Apistan, Sucrocide, ApiLife VAR (under a sec. 18 permit), and Mite-Away II. There continue to be reports of new materials in the pipeline; however, the final status of registrations for these products are still pending. Watch the bee journals and the Vermont Agency of AG website (the apiary page) for updates.

Apiary program inspection data for the 2005 season:

Number of hive inspections: 2515

Number of hives insp. for varroa 1605

Number of colonies infested w/varroa: 1459 (90%)

Number of colonies infected w/ chalkbrood: 136

Number of colonies infected w/ sacbrood: 9

Number of colonies inspected for SHB: 1620

Number of colonies infested with SHB: 1020 (63%)

Number of hives found with AFB: 68

Inspection priorities for 2006 will be much the same as 2005. These include the inspection of migratory hives for any disease/pest problems, non-migratory hives for small hives beetles, varroa mite levels, and general overall health conditions.

As in previous years, if anyone is planning on selling nucs or hives this year, please contact me for an inspection before sale. The reason for this is to insure all parties know what is being bought/sold, and to verify any disease/parasite problems (it is also part of the Vermont Apiary Law that all apiaries from which colonies are to be sold shall be inspected). As the spring tends to get very busy with the inspection of migratory hives, as much advance notice as possible is greatly appreciated.

Hopefully I will see you at the Farm Show Bee Meeting later this month. Don’t forget to enter your honey in the contest, and whip-up an entry for the Honey Products Contest. Good Luck!!

Your comments and suggestions are always welcome. Contact me at steve.parise@state.vt.us or phone 802-828-2431.

Visit the Apiary page at http://www.vermontagriculture.com/Bee1.htm