Rheal has released his 2020 treatment recommendations. Review and keep up to date to changing regulations
Read the latest Provincial treatment recommendations here:
2020_Honey_Bee_Health_Treatment_Guide_Feb3_2020
IMPORTANT:
- A veterinarian prescription will be required to use oxytetracycline hydrochloride and tylosin tartrate in honey bee colonies.
- All antibiotics and acaricides should only be administered to honey bee colonies according to recommended rates on the products label or according to veterinarian prescription. Never administer antibiotics and acaricides while honey supers are on the hives unless explicitly stated as safe to do so on the label.
- It is recommended that beekeepers monitor for Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) and rotate acaricides to decrease the risk of treatment-resistance and contamination of wax and honey by high-residual acaricides. The following acaricides: Apistan®, Apivar®, Bayvarol® CheckMite+™, Formic Acid products, HopGuard®II, Oxalic Acid and ThymovarTMare available for varroa mite control and should be used according to instructions on their packaging. In order to minimize the risk of developing treatment-resistant mites, it is important that beekeepers try to avoid consecutive treatments (ex: spring & fall) using the same product or products with similar chemistries (i.e. Apistan® and Bayvarol®).
- Honey bee colonies should be monitored for varroa on a regular basis, preferably in the spring and fall, to determine infestation levels relative to economic thresholds, and to ensure that previous control procedures have been effective.
- In the spring build up period, it is recommended varroa levels should be maintained below 1% (i.e. 1 mite per 100 adult bees).
- In the fall period, it is recommended varroa levels should be maintained at 1-3% or less with significant brood present (ex: early fall), and less than 10% when there is little brood (ex: late fall). The decrease in brood and subsequent movement of mites onto adult bees accounts for the higher threshold in the fall period.
- Note that this varroa threshold information assumes honey bee tracheal mite levels are at or near zero, and that colony health is dependent on more than just mite levels.
- Mite levels may increase due to the development of resistance to control products, improper application of treatment, or re-infestation from a neighboring apiary.
- A video on how to monitor for varroa mite can be viewed on the website of the Manitoba Beekeepers’ Association (MBA) – https://manitobabee.org/hive/varroa-mite-monitoring/
***NEW*** Honey Bee Disease Diagnostic Services are available in Manitoba***
CONTACT:Veterinary Diagnostic Services
545 University Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5S6
Phone: 204-945-8220
Please find this link to access a list of Vets willing to work with beekeepers and provide Antibiotic prescriptions:
Please find the following information about the lab services:
If you have any questions about managing honey bee health, please feel free to contact me:
Rhéal Lafrenière (M. Sc. P. Ag)
Industry Development Specialist – Provincial Apiarist
Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development
204-545 University Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
R3T 5S6
Ph. 204-945-4825 or cell 204-791-0124