American Foulbrood (AFB)

Time of Treatment: Spring and Fall
Treatment Material: OXYTET-25-S or OXYSOL-62.5 powdered sugar mix. Follow the label directions for preparation of material
Method of Treatment: Preventative measure: All bee colonies should be treated. Treat according to the label on OXYTET-25-S or OXYSOL-62.5 with the powdered sugar mix along the ends of the brood chamber. Be careful not to put powdered mix directly onto open brood. Repeat 3 times at 4-5 day intervals in the spring and in the fall. Stop treating 4 weeks before the main honey flow. It is not recommended to use the sugar syrup method of application or products such as pollen substitutes as carriers, as this can contaminate honey, is less effective and can promote resistant AFB.

Time of Treatment: At any time when colonies show symptoms of AFB (e.g. brown scales and sticky to ropy dead larvae) - Report to your Bee Inspector immediately and ask for recommendations.
Treatment Material:
1. Burn all infected equipment and kill the bees
Method of Treatment: Burn all frames, bottom boards and bees of heavily infected hives. Scorch empty bee boxes, inner covers and lids. See OMAFRA recommendations or consult with your local bee inspector for further instructions.
2. Treat the rest of the bee yard with OXYTET-25-S or OXYSOL-62.5 powdered sugar mix
Method of Treatment: Treat all remaining colonies with OXYTET-25-S or OXYSOL-62.5 powdered sugar mix. Repeat 3 times at 5 - 10 day intervals. Stop treating 4 weeks before the main honey flow.
3. Gamma irradiation
Method of Treatment: Disinfect contaminated empty hive parts using irradiation. Supers with frames without bees should be placed in bee tight containers for irradiation. For details, contact Isomedix in Whitby, ON at 905-433-1202. Using 1.2 M rads will completely sterilize the combs and hive parts. You will have to decide if it is economically feasible to sterilize your contaminated combs and hive parts. You can reuse the equipment after this process.

European Foulbrood (EFB)

Control measure: You do not need to kill the bees as with AFB. Replace infected combs with new non-infected combs or foundations.

Time of Treatment: Spring and Fall
Treatment Material: OXYTET-25-S or OXYSOL-62.5 powdered sugar mix as described for AFB.
Method of Treatment: Preventative measure: Same as AFB.

Time of Treatment: At any time when colonies show symptoms of EFB (e.g. brown, twisted larvae).
Treatment Material:
1. Replace infected combs.
Method of Treatment: Burn or irradiate all removed infected combs as above.
2. Treat with OXYTET-25-S or OXYSOL-62.5 powdered sugar mix according to the label.
Method of Treatment: Treat all colonies with OXYTET-25-S or OXYSOL-62.5 powdered sugar mix. Repeat three times at 5 - 10 day intervals. Stop treating 4 weeks before the main honey flow.
3. New queens
Method of Treatment: Requeen colonies in the bee yard with new queens from Mite and Disease Resistant Hygienic stocks.

Acarine Disease: Honey Bee Tracheal Mite (HBTM)

Detection: Every fall and/or spring, place 150 bees/bee yard OR 50 bees/colony in alcohol and send samples to the diagnostic bee labs. See Notes section for sampling instructions and contact labs for shipping instructions.

Time of Treatment: Spring. It is better to wait for warmer weather, and until the bees get some brood. On really small colonies, move the brood to the side of the hive and place pad in the middle.
Treatment Material: 65% formic acid*:
1. Mite-AwayII™ single application pad (250 mL per pad). This method of application only requires one visit to the hive.
Method of Treatment: Place the Mite-Away II™ single application pad on ½" spacers on top bars. Accommodate another ½" on the top of the pad by using a rim. Leave for 21 days. Read the label carefully for duration and temperature guidelines!
Note: If infestation level is 10% or higher, then treat your colonies. If you are using formic acid for varroa treatment, you do not need further treatments for HBTM.
2. 35ml multiple application formic acid pad (ensure that a total of 3 pads are applied)
Method of Treatment: Apply one 35ml pad per hive. Place the pad on the top bars close to the brood area. It is important to apply the pads 3 times, 4 days apart, for HBTM.

Time of Treatment: Late Spring and Summer
Treatment Material: HBTM resistant queens:
Method of Treatment: Requeen your colonies with queens from HBTM resistant stocks once every two years. Encourage these colonies to raise more drones to help in spreading and maintaining the resistance genes.

Time of Treatment: Fall. After harvesting the honey crop (by mid-September)
Treatment Material: 65% formic acid*
Method of Treatment: Mite-AwayII™, same as spring treatment. If you treated with formic acid in the spring, it will not be necessary to treat again in the fall, unless the HBTM infestation level in the fall samples are 10% or higher. Treat as described in the spring treatment after harvesting the honey crop.
* When using formic acid, make sure to seal all holes in the hive boxes except the main entrance, which must be left wide open(remove entrance reducers). To prevent danger to yourself, wear protective gear (eye protection, chemical-safe gloves, long-sleeved shirt, and closed toe shoes). Have a container of water handy to wash off any splashes. Be mindful of temperature restraints when using formic acid. Mite-AwayII™ should be administered when daytime highs are consistently between 10-26°C.

Varroosis: Varroa Mite

Detection:
1. Sticky board
2. Ether roll
3. Alcohol wash
(see NOTES section for instructions)

Note: If varroa infestation is much HIGHER than threshold levels in the spring and you have abnormally high losses over the winter, it is advised to check for resistance to any conventional chemical product.

Time of Treatment: Spring. See label directions for temperature and application guidelines.
Treatment Material: 65% formic acid*:
1. Mite-AwayII™ single application pad (250 mL/pad).
Method of Treatment: Treat all colonies using Mite-Away II™ single application pads, as described above. This treatment is good for both HBTM and varroa mites.
2. 35ml multiple application formic acid pad
Method of Treatment: Apply one 35ml pad per hive. Place the pad on the top bars close to the brood area. It is important to apply the pads 6 times, 4 days apart. This treatment is good for both HBTM and varroa mites.

Time of Treatment: June
Treatment Material: Monitor
Method of Treatment: In June, check all bee yards (at least 5 hives in each) using the monitoring method of your choice to be sure that varroa were controlled by your spring treatment. Refer to the Notes section in Monitoring Methods: Varroa Mite for recommendations if further treatment is necessary.

Time of Treatment: Late Spring and Summer
Treatment Material:
1. HBTM resistant Hygienic queens:
Method of Treatment: Requeen colonies with new queens from the Mite and Disease Resistant Honey Bee Stocks. Check the OMAFRA website or the OBA Tech-Transfer website (http://techtransfer.ontariobee.com) for the updated 2010 list of Queen and Nuc producers who have tested their stock in the Ontario Mite and Disease Resistant Honey Bee Breeding Program. Encourage these colonies to raise more drones to help in spreading and maintaining the mite resistant genes.
2. Drone Trapping:
Using frames with or without foundation:
Method of Treatment: Remove combs containing drone cells from the brood chambers after the cells are capped and before adult drones emerge (approx. 3-4 weeks). Emerging adult drones will release the trapped varroa mites into the colony, increasing the mite population. Repeat from spring until the drones are evicted in mid-August and you will get results equivalent to treating with a registered product.
Drone Trapping instructions can be found in the Publications section of the OBA Tech-Transfer website (http://techtransfer.ontariobee.com).
N.B. Although drone trapping is labor intensive on a commercial scale, it can be used throughout the season to suppress mite infestations, even during the honey flow as no chemicals are used.
3. Screened bottom board:
Method of Treatment: Screened Bottom boards - incorporate 8 mesh (8 squares/inch) screens into bottom boards. You need a 1½" spacing to have the varroa that fall through the screen separated from the bees.
N.B. Screened bottom boards do not significantly reduce varroa levels alone, but should be used with other control methods.

Time of Treatment: August.The bees that form your winter cluster are hatched late August/early September. If they are highly infested, they will have sustained enough damage that the colony will not winter properly and will likely die.
Treatment Material: Monitor
Method of Treatment: In early August, check all bee yards (at least 5 hives in each) using the monitoring method of your choice to ensure that varroa infestations are not above treatment threshold levels.
Refer to the Notes section in Monitoring Methods: Varroa Mite for recommendations if further treatment is necessary..

Time of Treatment: Early Fall. As soon as you remove the honey supers (by Mid-September).

Treatments applied late in September and October have less ensured efficacy.

Be Aware!
Due to potential formic acid efficacy constraints caused by environmental conditions (temperature), it is HIGHLY recommended that you monitor after the early fall treatment in order to determine if a follow-up treatment of oxalic acid is necessary.

Reminder! It is Highly recommended that the colonies consist of 7-8 frames of bees at the end of the season to ensure successful over-wintering of the hives. All weak colonies should be combined.

Treatment Material: 65% Formic Acid*:
1. Mite-AwayII™
Method of Treatment: Apply Mite-AwayII™ the same as you would in the spring.
2. 35ml multiple application formic acid pad (ensure that a total of 6 pads are applied)
Method of Treatment: Use 35ml pads as described above for HBTM. For these pads to be effective on varroa, 6 applications must be put on every 4 days. This treatment is good for both HBTM and varroa mites.
The above recommendation will keep CheckMite+™, Apistan® & Apivar® effective (for extremely high mite infestations) by preventing the development of resistance to these products or allowing those areas with known resistance to revert back to susceptibility.
3. CheckMite+™, Apistan® OR Apivar®*
Method of Treatment: CheckMite+™, Apistan® & Apivar® (check for updated Apivar® registration information) are registered for use in Ontario. If you choose to use either of them, apply according to the label directions.
N.B. Varroa mites resistant to CheckMite+™ and Apistan® are well established and widespread in Ontario. Be aware of the risk of inadequate varroa control when considering using conventional chemical products. Always remove strips from colonies at the end of the treatment period indicated on the product label. Never reuse strips. Dispose of strips according to label instructions.

*Apivar® has been granted Emergency Registration by PMRA from July 1st, 2009 to June 30th, 2010. Check the OMAFRA website for updates regarding registration.

There is a group of diligent beekeepers that carefully monitor their bees and only treat when monitoring results indicate. They have been able to reduce their treatments significantly. See the Notes section for monitoring methods.

Time of Treatment: Late Fall. Use Oxalic Acid as a secondary follow up treatment at the time of packing the bees. Oxalic acid should only be used in conjunction with an early fall treatment to assist in killing remaining mites left on the bees.
Treatment Material: Oxalic acid trickle method
Method of Treatment: Directions for use: Oxalic acid is for the control of varroa mites in honey bee colonies. Apply when monitoring indicates treatment is necessary.

Caution: Oxalic Acid may damage bee brood. Oxalic Acid will Not control varroa mites in capped brood. Use only when little or no brood is present. Use only in conjunction with an early fall treatment. Do not use when honey supers are in place to prevent contamination of marketable honey.

Solution Method: To completely dissolve oxalic acid dihydrate, use warm syrup (NOT HOT) and agitate thoroughly.
Dissolve 35 g of oxalic acid dihydrate in 1 litre of premixed syrup made from a 1:1 sugar:water (weight:volume) mixture. Smoke bees down from the top bars. With an applicator (e.g. syringe), trickle 5mL of this solution directly onto the bees in each occupied bee space in each brood box. The maximum dose is 50mL per colony whether bees are in nucs or single/multiple brood chambers. Under certain unfavorable conditions, e.g., weak colonies or unfavorable over-wintering conditions, this application method may cause some bee mortality or over-wintering bee loss.

Oxalic Acid Conditions of Use:
A. Purity of Oxalic Acid
Sources of oxalic acid dihydrate used must have a purity of 99.6% minimum.
B. Required Directions for Use
Users must take note of the following information and use the product as follows:

Toxicological Information
Treat symptomatically. Probable mucosal damage may contraindicate the use of gastric lavage.

Storage
Keep away from food, drink, and bee feeds.

Disposal

Nosema

Detection: Obtain at least 50 adult bees from the front entrance of suspected colonies and send to the bee labs for diagnosis.

N.B. The new species of nosema, Nosema ceranae, may be a problem throughout the season so you need to pay close attention to spore levels.

Time of Treatment: Spring. Spring feeding with Fumagilin-B is important.
Treatment Material: Fumagilin-B
Method of Treatment: Feed bees a mix of Fumagilin-B with sugar syrup in spring if you have a high level of infection (> 1 million spores/bee). Protect your Fumagilin-B medicated sugar syrup from direct sunlight when feeding bees. To ensure individual colonies receive the accurate dose of Fumagilin-B, mix as per label instructions and apply using direct-to-colony feeding techniques.

Time of Treatment: Late Spring/Summer
Treatment Material: New queens
Method of Treatment: Requeen colonies when new queens are available

Time of Treatment: Fall
Treatment Material: Fumagilin-B
Method of Treatment: Feed bees a mix of Fumagilin-B with sugar syrup as described above. The fall feeding is also important to protect bees during the winter season and reduce bee stress.

Chalkbrood

Time of Treatment: Spring and Summer
Treatment Material: New queens
Method of Treatment: There is no registered chemical treatment for Chalkbrood. Maintain strong colonies and requeen with queens from Hygienic stocks.

Sacbrood

Time of Treatment: Spring and Summer
Treatment Material: New queens
Method of Treatment: Same as described for Chalkbrood.

Notice to all users:
Any recommended product is to be used only in accordance with the directions on the product's label. The users assume responsibility for any risk to persons or property arising from the mishandling of recommended products.

Notes

Monitoring Methods: Varroa Mite

24 Hour Sticky Board
Coat a thick piece of paper (38 x 30 cm; filing folders work well) using 50% Vaseline/50% Crisco, Tangle Trap paste or sticky material. Place the coated paper under a screen, on the bottom board for three days. Count the varroa mites on the sticky board and divide by 3 to obtain an average mite fall per day. The sticky boards can also be left in until you return to the yard on the next trip. This will assure that the mites that drop onto the sticky board cannot return to the bees.

Ether Roll
Place ½ cup of bees (300 bees), from the brood chamber, in a glass jar. Spray with 3-4 squirts of ether (starter fluid). Replace lid and shake for 1 minute. Roll the jar, then count varroa stuck to glass and under lid. Do this in a well ventilated area and wear gloves to minimize contact with the ether.

Alcohol Wash
Place ½ cup of bees (300 bees), from the brood chamber, into a container with alcohol (windshield washer fluid). Shake for 20 minutes. Pour bees onto a screen, over a white tub and vigorously rinse varroa from bees. Count the total number of varroa in tub.
Contact Medivet Pharmatceuticals Ltd. (403-652-4441) for an easy to use bee yard alcohol varroa shaker. Follow the directions given with the shaking apparatus.

Varroa Mite Threshold Levels
The following are treatment guidelines. These suggested levels will vary depending on colony strength, apiary location and management. The best way to determine the proper timing for treatment solutions is to monitor regularly and compare results.

Threshold guidelines for varroa mite levels in May and August.
Note: Treatment levels have been lowered from previous recommendations.
Treat when varroa is greater than or equal to the following:

Monitoring Method: Ether Roll
Number of Varroa Mites in May: 1 mite/100 bees
Number of Varroa Mites in August: 2 mites/100 bees

Monitoring Method: Alcohol Wash
Number of Varroa Mites in May: 2 mites/100 bees
Number of Varroa Mites in August: 3 mites/100 bees

Monitoring Method: Sticky Board
Number of Varroa Mites in May: 9 mites/24hr drop
Number of Varroa Mites in August: 12 mites/24hr drop

Monitoring Methods: Honey Bee Tracheal Mites

Tracheal Mite Threshold Level: Treat when infestation levels are at 10%.
Alcohol Sample: Place approximately 150 bees/bee yard OR 50 bees/colony into a container with alcohol and contact a diagnostic lab.

Monitoring Methods: American Foulbrood

Examine brood frames as you open colonies. Symptoms of AFB include a scattered brood pattern and cappings with a punctured, sunken, dark and greasy appearance. Infected larvae settle to the bottom of the cell in a sunken gooey mass, beige to dark brown in colour. Conduct the Ropiness Test on material found inside suspicious cells. Check empty cells on brood frames for AFB scales (hardened dark black masses of old dead larvae). Contact your bee inspector if you are unsure of your diagnosis of AFB or if you find AFB. Further information about AFB can be found on the OBA Tech-Transfer Website (http://techtransfer.ontariobee.com) or in the CAPA Honey Bee Diseases and Pests Publication.

Diagnostic Bee Labs:

Perrin's Bee Lab, Cameron Ontario, (705) 359-1505
Tanglewood Honey Bee Lab Services, Eganville Ontario, (613) 628-2890

Record Keeping:

Record keeping is essential to monitoring.
Date:
Yard:
Colony #:
Tracheal Mite %:
Varroa Level:
Avg Nosema Spores/Bee:
Strength: 1 - 3:

Bee Alert

There is a new pest in the USA. It is known as the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida. The adult beetle is about 3/16" long, 1/8" wide and dark brown in colour. It has very large antennae. The larva looks like the wax moth larva, but the beetle larva has only 3 pairs of larger pronounced legs. Also, the beetle larva does not spin a cocoon in the hive, but it leaves the hive to pupate in the soil outside. The hive beetles attack the developing stages of bees and can kill bee colonies if colonies are not treated.
These beetles are found in New York State within 5 km from the Ontario border. Beetles were also located in the province of Quebec along the US/Quebec border in 2008 and 2009.
Inspect your hives for the presence of the small hive beetle. If you suspect any presence of this pest in your hives, contact your bee inspector or the office of the Provincial Apiarist.

Important: A permit from the Provincial Apiarist is required for importing bees from anywhere into Ontario. See http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/inspection/bees/importbees.htm for details.