Bee Health – Protection

 This is to inform you that there have been recent instances of small hive beetles (SHB) found in shipments of honey bee queens originating from Hawaii.  On April 7, 2011 one live SHB adult was found associated with packaging material associated with queens in Manitoba and SHB early larval instars of SHB were found in queens received in Alberta and Manitoba.  Provincial Apiarists will be working closely with the CFIA and importers to ensure that Hawaiian queens are examined for SHB.  Although there are protocols in place to mitigate the risks of introducing and spreading the SHB from Hawaii, […]

OTTAWA, November 4, 2010: The Government of Canada and the Canadian Honey Council (CHC) are seeking input from the bee industry on a new voluntary national biosecurity standard that will help bee keepers minimize the risk of pests and diseases in their colonies. “Bees are a major contributor to the health and vitality of agriculture,” said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “This Government is pleased to support the creation of standards that will contribute to the stability of such an important industry in the agricultural community.” Bumble bee, leafcutter and honey bee keepers will be contacted at random and asked what […]

The following article is provided courtesy of David Barnes, Kona Queen Hawaii, and is provided for your information about the 2010 situation involving their business. KONA QUEEN HAWAII, INC.   Best Management Practices for Small Hive Beetle   In April 2010 South African Small Hive Beetles, Aethina tumida Murry, (SHB) were found in Hilo, Hawaii; the East coast of Hawaii.   Kona Queen Hawaii’s response was to begin a progressive approach to the management and control of the SHB before they become fully established on the island of Hawaii. Our first approach was to employ, on a full time basis, […]

The Following is the text of an open letter written by Gus Rouse, Kona Queen, Hawaii to Beekeepers across Canada, and is presented here for your information regarding the current situation in and around their operation. …..LETTER TEXT ONLY…..  October 15, 2010  Dear Customers and Friends in Canada:  As you are probably aware, the Small Hive Beetle (SHB) reached the East coast of our Island this past April.  Kona Queen is located on the West coast.  Our State agriculture authorities conducted a thorough inspection here at Kona Queen at the end of June and did not find evidence of SHB in […]