BC-TTP Action Plan vs Varroa
Based on a recent survey done by BC-TTP, beekeepers in the province identified Varroa destructor parasitism and overwinter colony mortality as their main challenge. As a response the BC-TTP has designed an action plan to assess the Varroa economic thresholds in BC to assist beekeepers in reducing Varroa levels and mitigate the damage caused by the parasite to honey bee colonies.
The project will be divided in three parts: a) citizen science data for three consecutive years, b) an active one-year surveillance, and c) revising historical data
The objectives are to calculate Economic Injury Levels (EIJ) and Economic Thresholds (ET) for Varroa in different regions of BC. The data will allow beekeepers to plan for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies and make timely decisions on the methods and treatments used to control mite levels.
The goal is to have healthier and more productive honey bee colonies, and reduce overwinter colony mortality in BC.
2022 Citizen science to calculate Varroa economic thresholds.
BC-TTP will need the participation of beekeepers in British Columbia.
When? March 31, 2022- March 1, 2023
How? Beekeepers will be asked to join a webinar or watch a video on how to upload information to three online surveys, including:
-Region of BC where bees are kept
– Mite levels in the spring (March to June) and fall (September to November)
-Method used to calculate mite levels (i.e. alcohol wash, sticky papers, or icing sugar)
-Colony strength in the spring (March to June) and fall (September to November)
-If a treatment was used to control mites (e.g. thymol, oxalic acid, apivar®)
-Honey yield (March, 2023)
-Overwinter colony mortality (March 2023)
Who? Beekeepers in British Columbia with at least 1 honey bee colony.
Important note: All the information will be kept private. The data will be used to calculate Varroa Economic Thresholds (ET) in different regions of BC.
I’m a beekeeper and I want to participate!
- Email us at info@ttp-bchpa.ca to confirm your participation.
- You will receive an invitation to join a webinar or watch a short video. The webinar/video will explain the importance of the project, the significance of your participation, how and when to fill the online form to collect data.
- Do you want to share your experience? Share your pics of varroa monitoring in Instagram and Facebook, use the #BCTTPvarroa
- Follow us in Instagram and Facebook (@BC_TTP) for updates in the project.
Members of the British Columbia Honey Producers Association will receive BeeScene with updates on the ‘BC-TTP Action Plan vs Varroa’.
- Send us your feedback with suggestions and comments (info@ttp-bchpa.ca)
- Share the info with other beekeepers, local clubs, and associations.
Hashtags
#BCTTPvarroa #BC-TTP #BCHoneyBees #IPM #VarroaMonitoring #HoneyBeeHealth #PollinatorHealth #CitizenScience #FeedBC #GrowBC
Thanks to our collaborators:
Research Universities:
Dr. Leonard Foster, University of British Columbia
Dr. Olav Rueppell, University of Alberta
Dr. Rob Currie, University of Manitoba
Dr. Ernesto Guzman-Novoa, University of Guelph
Form the British Columbia Honey Producers Association (BCHPA):
Heather Higo, President of the BCHPA
Jeff Lee, Vice-president of the BCHPA
Kerry Clark, Past President of the BCHPA
Julia Common, Member of the BC-TTP Steering Committee
Liz Huxter, British Columbia Bee Breeders Association
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.