KELVINGTON, Sask. – As pests and pestilence ravage bee colonies around the world, members of the Cape Breton Organic Beekeepers Co-operative are wondering if their island could become a safe place, a disease-free repository in which healthy bees could be multiplied.
A survey funded by a federal grant of $22,000 will look at whether island beekeepers want to take the industry in that direction.
The tracheal mite, the small hive beetle and the varroa mite are the three biggest problems. So far, Cape Breton is free of the first two. Varroa mite has been found but co-operative member Cyril Welsh said it’s being dealt with. The survey will ask beekeepers if they are interested in increasing involvement with bees, producing colonies for sale or getting into the pollination business.
The co-operative hopes Cape Breton could save the bee population or at least maintain a steady supply of clean stock, Welsh said.
