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Klamath Basin Beekeepers Association www.klamathbeekeepers.org Slide 1

Intermediate Beekeeping 201 Class 2014

Intermediate Beekeeping 201

Klamath Basin Beekeepers Association2014

Accompanying Book: Beekeeping Basics, PennState UniversityPresentation Slides Prepared by: Katharina Davitt



Intermediate Beekeeping 201● Welcome/Introduction● Forms of Honey● Honey Harvest and Storage● Wax Processing● Fall Management● Winter Management● Maladies



Welcome & Introduction● Classroom Textbook:

Beginning Beekeeping, Pennstate University● Additional Material:

See www.klamathbeekeepers.org



Chapter: Forms of Honey● Extracted Honey

Section Comb Honey● Cut-Comb Honey● Chunk Honey● Creamed Honey



Extracted Honey

Most beekeeper produce extracted (liquid) honey.

Methods used are “crush and strain”, and an extractor using centrifugal forces.



Section Comb Honey

Produced and sold in the comb

4 ¼ x 4 ¼ inches, or 4 x 5 inch.

Plastic, wood, or cardboard molds are used in the hive in either square or round form.

This usually requires some experience in bee management and a good nectar flow.



Cut Comb Honey

Cut-comb honey is much easier to produce then section comb honey since you do not have to have molds in the supers.

You simply take a knife or metal cutter and cut sections out of your super.



Chunk Honey

For chunk honey you either cut or break comb pieces, place them into a glass and top with extracted honey.

This process is a little bit time consuming, because two steps are involved.

Makes a wonderful presentation when selling.



Creamed Honey

Creamed honey is also known as finely crystallized honey.

Some honeys naturally crystallize other wont.

Seeding is a method used to produce this type of honey.

Tools used are stainless steel paddles on a drill or

standup mixer.



Chapter: Honey Harvest and Storage● Remove Honey from Hives● Crush and Strain Honey Extraction● Extractor Use● Oregon Label Requirements● Storage of Honey, Granulation, Re-liquifying

Honey, Fermentation.● Storage of Supers



Removing Honey from the Hives

Using Fume Board, Escape Board, or just a Smoker.Checking for Ripeness.



Crush and Strain MethodItems needed:• Bowl with

board• Spatula

• Potato masher• 600 micron

filter • 5 gallon

bucket

Video demonstation



Extractor

Using uncapping knife.Basic operation via hand or electric extractor.Cleaning the extractor and common mistakes.

Radial Extractor Tangential Extractor



Storage of Honey● Temperature and storage condition.● Granulation● Re-liquifying Granulated Honey● Fermentation



Oregon Label RequirementsLess then 20 Hives More then 20 Hives More then 20 Hives and

Sold to Stores for ResaleBasic Label:Name of Food (Honey)Net Weight in Avourdupois (lb/oz) and Metric (grams)Ingredients (100% Honey)Name and Address of Manufacturer

Basic Label:Name of Food (Honey)Net Weight in Avourdupois (lb/oz) and Metric (grams)Ingredients (100% Honey)Name and Address of Manufacturer

Basic Label:Name of Food (Honey)Net Weight in Avourdupois (lb/oz) and Metric (grams)Ingredients (100% Honey)Name and Address of Manufacturer

Farm Direct Label:“This product is homemade and not prepared in an inspected food establishment.”“Not for Resale”

Apiary Registration for 5 or more hives.

Apiary Registration. Honey House Snspection, Licensing, Fees.

Selling to Stores:Sell direct and wholesale.

Selling to Stores:Consignment only.

Selling to Stores:Sell direct and wholesale.

Farm Direct: Honey which the beekeeper produces,

extracts and sells directly to retail customers.

Farm Direct Venues: Farmer's Markets, Roadside Stands, CSA organizations, Drop Sites, Buying Clubs,

Church Bazzars.



Storage of SupersHow to clean extracted frames for storage.

Preventing wax moth.Usage of Wax Moth Crystals or Balls containing

Paradichlorobenzene.

WARNING:Do not use a moth product

containing Naphthalene.



Chapter: Wax Processing● Solar Wax Melter● Double Boiler Wax Processing Video



Solar Wax Melter



Double Boiler Wax Melting

You need:Presto

Cooker, Wax

Melting Pot, Plastic

Wrap, Plastic

Dixie Cups.



Chapter: Fall Management● Checking on food stores.● Feeding hives for winter preparation and checking

hive weight.● Why treat hives for Varroa mites now?

(Detailed treatment options will be covered in next meeting.)

● Requeening



Checking on Food StoresHoneyPollen

Is bee bread being produced?

Bee Bread



Feeding your hives.

Heavy sugar syrup:

1 part hot water2 parts sugar

Honey Bee Healthy or ProHealth is optional.



Why Treat Hives for Varroa mites now?

Detailed treatment options will be covered in next meeting.



Requeening

Pro and Cons.



Chapter: Winter Management● Protecting your hives from the elements.● Checking on weight during winter.● Preventing end of January losses by feeding candy

board.● Making candy board video.



Protecting your Hives from the Elements

● Wind Break● Air Circulation● Moisture Control



Checking on Hive Weight● Can't open hive to check on stores during the cold.● Hive Tipping Method:

Put one hand onto lid, the other underneath one end of the hive and slightly lift.Should be done weekly to get a feel for the weight.



Preventing End of January Losses by Feeding Candy Board

● End of January is when starvation can set in. ● There will be no food option until first bloom.● Feeding may be necessary● Candy board is a dry form of feeding, used to

prevent moisture buildup. It will absorb moisture.

● Excess moisture can lead to Nosema or chilling of the hive. Both can be deadly to the bees.

● Divert sugar can be used instead of candy board.



Candy Board Video



End of Part One.



Maladies and Pests



American FoulbroodCausative Agent: Bacillus larvae (Bacteria)

Life cycle: Young larvae can be fed as few as 10 spores to be infected. As larvae become older they have to consume more spores to be infected. Full grown larvae rarely become infected. Death occurs after the cell is capped. The larva or pupae within the capped cell will decay in place and the tongue is often left attached to the top of the cell. Progression of color: white→light brown→coffee brown→dark brown/black. Cappings become concave and some will be punctured by bees attempting to remove the dead brood. Brood pattern is irregular rather then compact.Cadaver, including the head, deflates uniformly, dries into a “scale” and strongly adheres to the bottom of the cell. Consistency of dead brood is soft and becomes sticky and stringy. A single dead pupa can produce approximately 2.5 billion spores. Spores can remain viable for up to 50 years.

Management: Frequent inspections of the hives often reveal this disease before it becomes damaging. When the infestation is low uncapping infected individuals will result in the hive removing the infected material. Treatment with antibiotics.



American Foulbrood



American Foulbrood

Detect by odor (very stinky cheese smell) and match stick test ropes out 1 inch.



Foulbrood Detection Video● 5 Minute Video University of

Florida



TreatmentSubject to specific laws of the state. This is the most serious brood disease, and it must be

treated aggressively. Highly infectious to other hives. Honey extracted from those hives is safe for human consumption. It is best to destroy the equipment A serious

scraping and torching of the inside of the hive can be done, but does not guarantee the removal of the spores. Tools used must be sterilized to prevent cross contamination.

Terramycin Tylan and Lincomix Other equipment options after killing the bees:

●Contains antibiotic oxytetracycline.●Will not kill the spores, but mask the symptoms by killing the vegetative stage.●This is a long term, never ending treatment.●Other, healthy, colonies can still get infected.●AFB has become resistant to Terramycin since the 1990s.

●Contains tylosin tartrate or lincomycin hydrochloride.●Should not be used long term to reduce resistance.●Will contaminate honey, since it is longer active then Terramycin.●2 treatment rounds are suggested, and hive burning after that.

●BurningBees are first killed with a soapy water solution and then burned with the hive.●Lye BathEquipment can be boiled in

a 10% lye bath, and then dipped in paraffin. Risky.●Ethylene oxideA gas that is applied under heat and pressure to hive equipment. It is a cancer causing agent.●Gamma RadiationVery effective.



Causative Agent: Streptococcus pluton (Bacteria)

Life cycle: This disease is more often a problem in the spring. Only fatal to young uncapped larvae. Later stages can be infected but the disease only affects the silk glands, and capping may be sparse but is not fatal. Fatalities typically occur when the bees are only 4 or 5 days old. After the larva dies the bacteria enters a spore stage. Unlike American Foulbrood this stage cannot survive extended periods of time (typically no more than 6 months). Sour odor may be present.Dead larvae remain soft, pliable and usually twist/curl in the cell. Workers can easily remove the cadavers. Progression of color: white→yellowish white to brown→dark brown/black. Consistency of dead brood is watery (rarely sticky or stringy) and granular.

Management: European Foulbrood is most common a few weeks after a colony looses a high number of the adult workers due to pesticides or other causes. If a cause can be identified, steps should be taken to avoid it reoccurring in the future. Treatment with antibiotics.

Not common in Oregon.

European Foulbrood



European Foulbrood



Treatment● This is a non-spore forming foulbrood.

It very often goes away, but it is suggested to treat with antibiotics.

● Terramycin, aTylan, and Lincomix are effective means.

● Removing the queen, and interrupting the brood cycle is also an option.



SacbroodCausative Agent: Virus

Life cycle: This disease is more often a problem in the spring or after a substantial loss of workers. Larvae are infected and die on their backs with the head slightly elevated. The internal structures of the larva break down however the exoskeleton remains uncompromised making it a “sack” of sorts. Progression of color: white? yellow? brown ? dark brown. Cadavers if not removed by the workers deflate uniformly, dry into a dark “scale”. Unlike American Foulbrood the scale is not adhered to the cell and can be easily removed. Consistency of dead brood is watery and granular inside the tough leathery “sack”

Management: Sacbrood is most common a few weeks after a colony looses a high number of the adult workers due to pesticides or other causes. If a cause can be identified, steps should be taken to avoid it reoccurring in the future. Weak colonies can be reinforced with additional workers, a new queen, or improved environmental conditions

Misconceptions: Odor is not a reliable method of distinguishing this disease Irregular brood pattern can be a sign of a problem (but not necessarily Sacbrood)



ChalkbroodCausative Agent: Ascosphaera aphis (Fungus)

Life cycle/ Symptoms: Typically attacks mature larvae & pupae (young larvae only attacked during heavy infestations). Infection enters the hive via infected pollen. Fungus grows quickly and rapidly encloses the infected larva or pupa in fine white strands (mycelium). At this point the larva or pupa is commonly called a “mummy”. The mummy is originally soft and fluffy but quickly hardens to the consistency of sidewalk chalk.

Management: Strong colonies will quickly remove the dead and the disease will be kept under control. However if the hive is stressed the workers may not be able to remove the diseased dead promptly. Since its introduction to the US in the 1970's this disease has become less severe. It is believed that the highly susceptible colonies were eliminated and more resistant breeds have replaced them. No direct control options are available, but if a colony is experiencing problems you can try the following: Requeen with a young queen, move the colonies into direct sunlight, remove empty supers to reduce hive volume to allow the bees to better regulate temperature and humidity, replace wet boards for dry ones, elevate the hives to reduce moisture from contact with the ground, and/or add bees and brood from a strong colony to the weak colony to help increase numbers.



Chalkbrood



Treatment● There is no treatment available.● Requeen with a hygienic queen.● Increase airflow.



NosemaCausative Agent: Nosema aphis and Nosema ceranae.

Life cycle/ Symptoms:Newly emerged adults are always free of the disease but may become infected at feeding. The spores are ingested and develop in the gut. The spores rupture the lining of the gut and within 5 days new spores form and can be passed via feces to a new host. Problems most often occur following winter, it is believed that the pathogen builds in numbers during the winter season. In spring adult bees infected with this disease typically exhibit dysentery and individual bees may die. In rare cases when the hive is severely infected the colony may collapse.

Management: This disease is usually only a problem for keepers in cold climates.Positive identification is only possible by extracting the gut and looking for spores under a microscope. Indicators of the disease: • Colonies heavily infected will have adults outside of the hive crawling on the ground (often without wings and obviously balding) • Signs of dysentery include the accumulation of fecal material on the bars of the comb and at the hive entrance.

Treatment: Fumagilin-B with caution.



Nosema



Nosema Video● 5 Minute Video University of Florida



Treatment

Fumagilin-B Novezit Honey Bee Healthy and Pro Health

●Traditionally used to treat Nosema Apis.●May foster Nosema ceranae infections and may make the condition worse.

●Natural product made from oak bark extract.●Effectiveness data is not available.

Essential oils that simulate feeding, and may control nosema.Limited data is available.

Choosing a sunny hive location and good air circulation can prevent this disease.



Varroa MitesCausative Agent: Varroa destructor (Acari)

Life cycle: Optimal developmental temperature for the mite is 32.9°C (bee developmental temperatures are: capped workers 34-36°C, capped drones 30-34°C; uncapped workers or droned 25°C) The rate at which eggs are laid is temperature dependent, ranging from 1.5 to 7 eggs per 31 to 39 hrs. The female must prepare a feeding site for her young (their mouth parts cannot penetrate the insect cuticle). A mated female mite enters the cell before it is capped and hides in the bottom of the cell. She promptly climbs through the jelly without eating it, to the top of the cell. She waits for the pre-pupa to molt before laying her eggs so they are not discarded to the bottom of the cell with the exuviae (moult). The female creates a feeding site and moves the leg III (metathoracic) to allow access to a feeding site.

Treatment:CheckMite, Apistan strips, Formic Acid, ApiLife Var, Hopguard. Providing drone cell frames.

Most serious pest. Must be controlled.



Varroa Mites•Sampling adults: capture 300-500 bees in jar directly or via shaking (warning: be

careful not to collect the queen). Add 70% EtOH and let sit for several minutes. Gently swirl the jar and pour the contents into a light colored pan. Using tweezers and a small brush remove the bees one by one inspecting and removing any mites. Infestation level is estimated using: (# of mites x 100) ÷ # of bees = % infested: 5%=slight, 5-10% seriously infested treat soon, 10-20% treat immediately, >20% great probability of colony failure in days to a weeks.

•Examination of sealed brood: using a 8 x 4 cm template and a sharp knife, remove approximately 300 sealed brood cells. Using tweezers carefully remove the pupae and wash them in 70% EtOH. Using a fine brush remove any attached mites and wipe the inside of the emptied cell to search for mites. Record the number of bees that have mites not the number of mites. Infestation rates can be estimated by using (# capped cells with mites x 100) ÷ # of bees. Infestation levels are the same as above.

•Natural-mite-fall: collect the number of mites that die on a daily basis using a sticky board. This procedure involves using a collecting tray covered with cooking oil with a 3 x 3 mm screen to keep the bees off the tray. The tray should be rigid and easy to grease. The mites are being counted. Mortality rate can be calculated using: # of mites ÷ # of days the trap was out.



Varroa Mites



Testing for Varroa Methods● 6 Minute Video University of Florida



Organic Acid TreatmentsAgent Registered Protection Time Supers Pros Cons

Formic Acid●Mite Away II●Mite Away Quick Strips (MAQS)

Yes gloves, respirator, glasses

little Yes ●Kills in capped cells●Easy application

●Temperature dependent.●Shortens bee life.●Brood loss.●Possible queen loss.

Oxalic Acid No gloves, glasses

little No ●Can legally be used for the wood parts.

●Not legally authorized for use on bees, mites, or wax.●Deadly for brood.●Late fall use is best.

HopGuard Yes Gloves,glasses.

moderate Yes ●No resistance.●Not temperature dependent.●Very effective on adult bees.

●Does not penetrate capped cells.●Strips dry up fast, and must be replaced weekly 3 times in a row.

Acetic Acid●Vinegar

No Gloves,glasses

intense Yes ●Not very effective.

Thymol●Api-Life Var●Apiguard

Yes Gloves,glasses

little No ●No resistance.●Quick mite knock down.

●Temperature dependent.●Only effects mites on adults.●Works poorly in cooler temps.●Bee damage under higher temps.



Synthetic Chemical TreatmentsAgent Registered Protection Time Supers Pros Cons

Apistan Yes Gloves,Glasses,Special handling rules.

little No ●Good kill over 42-54 days.

●Varroa has become resistant.●Contaminates comb.●Does not effect Varroa under capped cells.

Coumaphos Yes Gloves,glasses

intense No ●Good kill over 42-54 days.

●Varroa has become resistant.●Contaminates comb.●Does not effect Varroa under capped cells.

Other Chemical TreatmentsAgent Registered Protection Time Supers Pros Cons

Sucrocide Yes Gloves,glasses

intense Yes ●Does not harm bees.●Kills only mites on adult bees.●All frames and bees must be sprayed.●Needs to be repeated every 7 days for 3 intervals.

Mineral Oil No Gloves,glasses

intense Yes ●Applied with fogger once per week or more.●Fogger may sets hive or surroundings on fire.●Mixed results.



Food Additive TreatmentsAgent Registered Protection Time Supers Pros Cons

Honey-Bee-Healthy

No gloves intense Yes ●Works poorly in cooler temps.●Bee damage under higher temps.

Pro HealthNow contains Thymol

No gloves intense Yes ●Works poorly in cooler temps.●Bee damage under higher temps.

Food Additive TreatmentsFood Additive Treatments



Genetic and Mechanical TreatmentsAgent Registered Protection Time Supers Pros Cons

GeneticsHygienic behavior

n/a n/a n/a Yes ●Long term solution.●Reduces chemical use.●Bees remove mites.

●Not a 100% solution. ●Must be used with other mechanical and chemical methods as needed.

Drone Brood Trapping

n/a n/a intensive Yes ●Eliminates Varroa before they can hatch.

●Only removed Varroa under capped drone brood.●Does not work well beyond spring.

Screened Buttom Boards

n/a n/a none Yes ●Reduces mite load by 5-10%.

●Does not work by itself, and should be used with other methods.

Powdered Sugar

No n/a intense Yes ●Must be repeated every 5-7 days to have any effect.●Powder sugar in the cells containing open brood or eggs can damper brood development.

Break in Brood Cycle

n/a n/a moderate Yes ●May develop laying worker.

●Removal of queen for 1 month leaves no place for the mites to reproduce.●Best used in climates with a long flow.



Tracheal MitesCausative Agent: Acarapis woodi (Acari)

Life cycle:Live in the thoracic and occasionally the abdominal tracheal tubes of all 3 casts of bee. When in high densities it affects the bee's ability to work (decreases production and efficiency). Feeding occurs in the tracheal tubes where the mite penetrates through the tube to feed on hemolymph (blood). Female mites move to new emerged adults and begin laying eggs within 3-4 days. Eggs take 3-4 days to hatch and newly hatched mites move to newly emerged adults. Mites move by bee-to-bee contact. Mite populations usually decrease during the foraging season and rarely show signs of infestation in the summer and fall.

Management: Menthol and Aluminum phosphide can be used in the hive during periods when there is no honey overflow. Apply grease patty.

May or may not important. Don't worry in the first year.



Severe Infestation



Tracheal Mite Life Cycle



Detecting Tracheal Mite Video● 6 Minute Video University of Florida



Small Hive Beetles



Small Hive BeetlesCausative Agent: Aethina tumida (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae)

Life cycle: Adults may live up to 6 months. Eggs are laid in cracks near the comb and hatch in 2-3 days. Larvae feed on pollen, honey and damage the combs. Feeding by the larvae discolors the honey and often leads to the honey fermenting and pouring out of the comb. This makes the hive and extraction process very messy. Larvae require 10-11 days to complete larval development, and then leave the hive to pupate in the soil. High small hive beetle populations, even in strong colonies, can lead to absconding or collapse . In warm climates ( Florida & Georgia ) there may be 4-5 generations per year.

Management: The small hive beetle has been detected in Oregon in the recent past, but it is believed that it was eradicated, and is currently not known to occur. If you believe you have a small hive beetle in one or more of your hives please contact the Oregon Department of Agriculture Commodity Inspection Division (503-986-4620)

Not a problem in Oregon at this point.



Small Hive Beetles



Hive Beetle Video● 4 Minute Video University of Florida



Controlling Small Hive Beetles● Strong colonies is a the best defense.● Beetle traps, filled with vegetable oil.● Coumaphos has been licensed to use for hive

beetles, but is has not been favored by beekeepers.

● Soil treatments around the hives have been very successful

● Empty honey comb has to be protected against hive beetles.



Bears and SkunksDamage: Ranges from killing bees as they enter/exit the hive to complete hive

destruction.

Management:

Bears: Electric fencing can help but only if installed prior to the bears finding the hives. Once they learn of the reward the fence will not keep them out. Call Fish and Wildlife for help.

Skunks: Fencing around hive can help keep skunks away from the hive entrance. Also elevating the hive prevents the skunks from feeding on the bees as they enter/exit.



Mice and RodentsLife cycle:

A healthy hive should be able to fend off these pests. During the winter when the bees cluster, the opening to the hive is often unprotected and rodents can enter the nest unchallenged. More of a nuisance then a pest.

Management: In the fall, fit your hives with wire, cleats, or commercially made mouse guards. The top of the hive should be cracked or an exit hole should be provided. Raising your hive will deter mice. If wintering bees in a structure (warehouse, basement, etc.) blocking all entrances into the hive with ¼” mesh and set up rodent traps can help protect the colonies.



Ants● Ants are not a serious pest, but a nuisance. ● Tiny black sugar ants can bee treated with

cinnamon. Sprinkle around the base.● Black and Carpenter Ants are a more serious

problem. Ant bait stations work nicely.



Wasps and Hornets● Will rob and kill bees.● Treatment:

Narrowing entrance.Setup of traps.

● See our website for instructions.



Wax Moth Causative Agent:

Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) Greater Wax MothAchroia grisella (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) Lesser Wax Moth

Signs:Tunnels in comb.Silk trails, crisscrossing one another over combs.Small dark objects (excrement of wax moth larvae) in the silk trails in a hive.Silk cocoons attached to wooden parts.Destroyed comb, piles of debris on bottom board.A strong hive usually controls moth without assistance. Remove any unnecessary supers on brood boxes so they have less area to defend.Cannot survive freezing temperature.Store used frame equipment with open light exposure.

Treatment:Keeping your hives strong.Para-MothRemoving damaged material and deep freezing the frame to kill any eggs or larvae.

Only a problem in stored frames and dead outs in Oregon.



Wax Moth



Treatment for Wax Moths● Keeping your hives strong.

● Para-Moth

● Removing damaged material and deep freezing the frame to kill any eggs or larvae.

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