Alberta beekeepers who used an emergency treatment for controlling varroa mites seem to have gained the upper hand on the pests.
“I have virtually no varroa mites in my operation,” said Alberta Beekeepers Association president Terry Greidanus.
“My bees are way healthier than last year.”
The Pest Management Regulatory Agency granted an emergency six-month registration for Apivar from September 2008 to April 2009 and has issued a one-year extension.
“Guys who used it last year have their mites under control,” said Greidanus, who used Apivar in his hives last year.
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“It’s the root of all evil, the varroa mite.”
Provincial government surveys have found that a combination of long winters, cool springs and pests have helped cause 30 percent bee losses in the past three years in Alberta.
Alberta Agriculture’s 2009 survey showed 28 percent of Alberta bees were killed over winter and an additional 13 percent of the colonies that survived were weak and not producing. The survey results were similar to those found in 2007 and 2008.
The varroa mite attacks honey bees, weakening them and making them more susceptible to other diseases and infestations.
The varroa mite has become resistant to Apistan and Checkmate, two chemicals registered for control of the mite in the province. About 41 percent of Alberta beekeepers switched to Apivar and reported more effective control against the mite.
Greidanus said his organization isn’t looking for permanent registration of Apivar. Rather, it wants the ability to use it in emergency situations to get the varroa mite under control. With mites at a low level, beekeepers can revert to other forms of pesticide control and not allow the mites to build up resistance to Apivar.
Surveys of Alberta hives have also found a new species of the fungus nosema, called nosema ceranae.
“That’s our next big issue,” he said.
Paul Laflamme, head of Alberta Agriculture’s pest surveillance branch, said beekeeper surveys are an important tool to planning and pinpointing troubles in the industry.
Through the survey results, provincial apiculturist Dr. Medhat Nasr was able to receive research funding to screen new pesticides to control mites.
The department has also received funding to increase the number of inspectors who work with beekeepers to identify problems and find solutions, including the new species of nosema.
“We’ve had excellent uptake on that,” said Laflamme, who added inspectors work closely with producers when monitoring and treating bee problems.
Inspectors have also collected bee samples to gauge the level of the new nosema species in the province’s bee population.
Greidanus said timely rain and warm weather in southern and central Alberta have created ideal conditions for a late season honey harvest.
However, producers around Edmonton and the Peace River region haven’t been so lucky. A cool spring and continuing dry weather have hampered honey production.
Laflamme expects honey production to be lower than normal, not because of the varroa mite but because of cool, dry conditions.
