KRTP Projects
Current Projects
Oxalic Acid Glycerol Winter Experiment
Studying the efficacy and safety of oxalic acid glycerol treatments for varroa in the indoor wintering setting.
Field Trials on Norroa GreenLight Biosciences
Testing new biopesticide solutions for varroa mite control
Honey Bee Feed Quality.
Investigating the impacts of additives in sucrose syrup
Province-wide Survey of Miticide Resistance
Collecting samples for an NBDC 2025 project surveilling prevalence of miticide resistance
2024 Research & Activities Review
2024 Research Projects
1. Field trial of Greenlight Biosciences RNA varroa control product (2024)
Purpose: Evaluate efficacy of varroa control product.
Status: Complete
Collaborator: Greenlight Biosciences
2. Impacts of Feed Quality on Wintering (2023/2024)
Purpose: Assess impacts of various quality syrups on wintering, specifically acidic syrups that have been degraded by time, temperature or other factors.
Collaborator: University of Manitoba
3. Oxalic Acid Extended-Release Strips (Varroxsan) Winter Experiment (2024/2025)
Purpose: Assess the safety and efficacy of OA glycerin strips in indoor wintering settings.
Collaborator: University of Saskatchewan
2024 Knowledge Transfer: Industry Engagement & Activities
1. Acaricide Resistance Assessments:
Purpose: Assess efficacy of Apivar® using Apiarium bioassays on mite populations of special interest as well as collecting mites for genetic analysis at NBDC.
2. Hygienic Behaviour and UBeeO Testing:
Purpose: Assist beekeepers to evaluate honey bee stock for hygienic traits using UBeeO and freeze-kill brood assays. 142 colonies tested in 2024 – more comprehensive and targeted evaluations planned for 2025.
3. Syrup Testing Service:
Purpose: Assist beekeepers to identify degraded syrups (pH, titratable acidity, BRIX) that may negatively impact colonies, especially pre-winter.
4. Bee Health Monitoring Program:
Purpose: Assist beekeepers with assessing health of their apiaries by inspecting and sampling colonies for varroa, nosema, viruses, and foulbrood diseases.
5. Manitoba Queen Breeders Group:
Purpose: KRTP has been tasked with helping to re-establish a group that connects beekeepers and provides support to those working to breed, propagate queens for sale, and encourage proven practices in local and domestic self-sufficiency.
6. Educational Engagements:
Purpose: Provide relevant, high-quality learning opportunities for the Manitoba beekeeping community including annual queen rearing workshop, presentations at regional association meetings addressing: feed quality, IPM, amitraz-resistance; and KRTP contributes guest lectures and semester long teaching assistance to the U of M beekeeping course.