The Sunshine Coast Bee Club is hoping everyone will pitch in to keep local bee populations healthy.
The Coast has been chosen by the Provincial Apiculturist, Paul van Westendorp, as an ideal area to try to eradicate Varroa mites, which live on bees and can eventually kill entire colonies. They are similar to fleas on dogs, although deadly, not just uncomfortable, to the bee, says Al Cobbin, local bee club president and area representative for the B.C. Honey Producers.
Beekeepers in temperate regions usually report high mortality of colonies within two to three years after detection of Varroa mites in an area. If remedial action is not taken, the colonies will die off.
Van Westendorp said beekeepers on the Coast are in a good position to eradicate the mites that are infesting bee populations across British Columbia.
"Beekeepers of the Sunshine Coast are in a unique situation because there are few [Varroa mites] in number, and the area is geographically isolated, surrounded by natural barriers," said van Westendorp.
Cobbin says bees often get a bad rap and notes most people don't automatically think saving bees is a good thing.
"But honey bees are amazing creatures and they are an important part of our ecosystem. One third of the average human diet comes from plants that require pollination by honey bees," said Cobbin.
Varroa mites are common throughout Canada and other areas of the world. They are often killed with the use of a control product called CheckMite to keep bee populations healthy and strong. The product is on a sticky strip that is placed inside the hive and left there for 45 days. Early November is the perfect time to treat the hives, says Caroline Stoddart, apiary inspector for the Sunshine Coast."At this time of year, the mite population is lower and there is no brood or baby bees in the hive. Also, all of the honey would be harvested already," said Stoddart.
In addition to being the apiary inspector for the Coast, Stoddart is also the inspector for Powell River, which is a rare Varroa mite-free area.
"It's taken a lot of cooperation, but we have remained mite free by not importing any brood stock into the area," said Stoddart.
If the Coast is successful in eradicating the Varroa mite, beekeepers will also have to abide by the no-import rule.
Van Westendorp has laid down six important steps to eradicating the Varroa mite locally with the CheckMite strips: All beekeepers of the Sunshine Coast (including Bowen and Gambier Islands) must participate. Every colony in the district must be treated with CheckMite starting Nov. 1, 2004. Single-supered colonies require one strip of CheckMite placed in the centre of the cluster. Two-supered colonies must receive two strips; one placed in each super. All strips must be removed on Dec. 15, 2004 (rain or shine). Prior to the start of the eradication plan, beekeepers who are aware of feral (non-managed, wild) colonies must either kill or hive them and apply the CheckMite treatment. All beekeepers must continue to support the self-imposed quarantine. This means that no bees or queens can be imported from anywhere other than the Powell River Bee District, Hawaii or Australia where Varroa mites have not been detected.
Cobbin hopes locals who are interested in taking part will contact him prior to Oct. 31.
"Strips will be available on that date from the supplier and sold at a reduced rate, and those not used we are able to return," said Cobbin.
For more information or to take part, contact Cobbin at 604-886-7006 or email him at [email protected].
