OFFICIAL
PYRETHROID RESISTANT VARROA
James Morton RBI for the South East reports,
Dear
All,
I
am writing to let you know that the National Bee Unit has just confirmed
the presence of pyrethroid resistant varroa in the UK. Resistance
to
fluvalinate, the active ingredient of Apistan has been confirmed
by
laboratory testing in mites from an apiary in Devon, and field tests
give
strong reason to suspect resistance in other apiaries in the same
area. It
is almost certain that these mites will also be resistant to other
pyrethroids including flumethrin, the active ingredient of BayvarolI
will be providing further information and advice as the situation
develops. In the meanwhile, if you have any questions or concerns,
please get in touch.
James Morton
South-Eastern Regional Bee Inspector Central Science Laboratory
National Bee Unit Tel/fax: 020 8571 6450 Mobile: 07719 924 418
E-mail:j.morton@csl.gov.uk
CSL website: http://www.csl.gov.uk
Full details are available from the CSL website: National Bee Unit
website: http://www.csl.gov.uk/prodserv/cons/bee/
Details of resistance test on back page.
220th
Council Meeting
Thirteen
attended the Council Meeting on 15th September with representatives
from the following branches: Ashford (2), Bromley (2), Mid-Kent,
Orpington, Sevenoaks & Tunbridge Wells, Sidcup, Westerham.
The
Honey Show and Beekeeping Display at the Kent Show made a profit
of £338 for the Association and a report on this has already
been circulated.
Attendance at the Kent Show was down 22% on the previous year, partly
to be expected due to F. & M. causing cancellation of the cattle
and sheep classes although there were a number of new attractions
to compensate for this. The Kent Agriculture Society expect a loss
of about £150,000 when the final accounts are agreed but it
would have been considerably higher if the Show had been cancelled.
Unfortunately there was also a drop of 16% in attendance at the
previous year also causing a loss, so the Society are considering
changing to Friday, Saturday and Sunday next year in order to improve
attendance.
The Education Meeting at Detling on 8th September was discussed
and a report by the Editor appears in this month's issue.
A Directory of Members, similar to the current one, will be produced
again next year but with a stiffer cover and also including telephone
numbers.
It was agreed that more detailed information on Foul Brood outbreaks
was required. The present 10km squares used by MAFF cover too wide
an area and, as outbreaks can be near the border, part of adjacent
squares can also be involved. Although this has been raised MAFF
are unwilling to go beyond this. They quote the longstanding right
to privacy asked for by beekeepers in the 30's; beekeepers as a
group need to decide that they want their details disclosed, but
not all do; MAFF/NBU have responsibilities to protect personal information;
there are also administrative problems. The meeting felt that things
had moved on since the 30's which was 70 years ago! It was time
to review the position as there seemed to be no problem in MAFF
notifying sites for F. & M. which was another notifiable disease,
and beekeepers had just as much right to know where Foul Brood was
present. As a result the following proposition will be submitted
to the BBKA for their next Annual Delegates Meeting:
"The BBKA to press MAFF/NBU to inform local Associations immediately
Foul Brood is confirmed in their area, giving precise details of
location by either address or six figure grid reference." Another
proposition was also agreed for the Annual Delegates Meeting: "The
BBKA inform the management of Sheffield University of their appreciation
of, and support for, the work being carried out for the benefit
of Beekeeping by Dr. F. Ratnieks and his colleagues in the Laboratory
of Apiculture and Social Insects." Pyrethoid resistant varroa
mites have been confirmed as present in the UK.
BBKA policy is to continue to use Bayverol or Apistan, but they
must only be used in the correct way according to instructions.
An alternative technical treatment such as drone brood removal should
also be used.
Peter Baker
General Secretary
Beekeeping Education Meeting at Detling on Saturday 9th September
2001 at 2pm Present:John Pollard - Chairman Chris Erridge, Peter
Hutton, Nick Withers, Rodney Turk, Mary Hill, Sally Hardy, Tony
Masters, Peter Baker. John Pollard outlined his thoughts on beekeeping
education in Kent. Membership was declining and it was necessary
to encourage new members and also keep them.
The present courses running in the county for new beekeepers increased
interest and were an important source of recruitment but more were
needed. New beekeepers should be encouraged to take the BBKA exam
to widen their knowledge and increase their interest but, unfortunately,
although a number took the Basic there seemed to be little interest
in advancing further and Kent compared unfavourably with some of
the other county associations.
He felt that education should be open to all the Kent Associations
and the public, and it needed to appeal and be enjoyable as well
as providing instruction. There should also be special interest
groups in different subjects as well as studying for exams. There
was a lack of suitable lecturers, demonstrators and tutors and courses
were needed to train people for this.
During discussion it became apparent that education needed to cater
for three different groups:
1. Those who might be interested in taking up beekeeping or just
wanted to know more about it.
2. Those who had just started and needed advice and help. The Basic
syllabus would cover this although it was recognised that many enjoyed
beekeeping without seeing the necessity for taking exams.
3. Further Education - BBKA modules and special interest groups.
Group 1 was covered by many of the present courses being run although
more might be needed, and by Branch and Association activities such
as local shows, the Kent Show, open days and other events.
Group 2 - the Basic was best left to individual Branches although
some that were more active and had better facilities might accommodate
members fromneighbouring branches.
Group 3 - it would be better to concentrate further education to
requirements for BBKA module exams and this could be covered by
local groups meeting regularly. It was difficult for suitable tutors
and lecturers to commit themselves regularly and they would therefore
have to be self-help groups making their own arrangements and perhaps
calling on experienced beekeepers to give occasional talks. A central
register of those interested would be required so that groups could
be formed in appropriate areas and the exam timetable will need
publishing so that subjects covered can be co-ordinated with this.
Saturday March 25th 2002 is BBKA examination date for Modules 1,2,3,4,7&8
Peter Hutton will publish this suggestion and the timetable in October
Kentish Bee.*see appendix.
Peter Baker will write to Branch Secretaries asking them to consider
and publicise this, and to bring it up for discussion at their meetings.
Suggestions and feed back will be welcome. Finished 4.30pm
What
can be achieved by the application of Oxalic acid against
Varroa?
Jean-Daniel Charriere, Anton Imdorf and Peter Fluri at Research
Institute for Milk Products Beekeeping Department
Liebefeld 3003 Bern SWITZERLAND
Application method
Use a solution of 1 part by weight of Oxalic acid dihydrate and
10 parts
water likewise 10 parts sugar. Trickle 5 ml with help of a Perizin
applicator or a syringe into each space between the occupied combs.
A weak colony requires altogether 30ml, an average colony about
40ml and a strong colony 50ml of the solution. The treatment should
be undertaken at above 5 degrees C. Before application the solution
is warmed to room temperature.
The labour requirement in comparison to the spray method is less
because the colonies do not need dismantling.
We have tested the trickling method in the autumn & winter of
1997-98 on 95 colonies on 11 sites distributed over the whole of
Switzerland.
The treatment occurred in the November or December in brood free
colonies.
Two weeks later, at the earliest a control treatment should be undertaken
using 50 ml Perizin solution or oxalic acid sprayed throughout.(Imdorf
and associates, 1997). The mite mortality was recorded weekly with
the help on a varroa screen during the whole test period.
Trickling the oxalic acid. 5 ml per occupied comb alleyway.
Efficacy of the trickling treatment.
The average treatment result for the 95 colonies was 98.5%. Between
the
colonies and sites there were relatively modest variations (chart
2). The
treatment result is with the one spray treatment (chart 1) absolutely
comparable. The evaluation of the efficacy might not alone support
the
treatment results in percentages itself.
Crucial for each individual colony is the number of mites not killed
by the
treatment. They were included through the control treatment with
Perizin or with sprayed oxalic acid. The average mite mortality
of the control treatment was between 1 & 23 mites per colony,
per site. The values for individual colonies are with only a single
exception (few exceptions)less than 40 mites. In practice these
overwintering mites will form the starter population for the following
beekeeping season. From such low survival rates
the mite population cannot develop much danger for the colony itself
in a
beekeeping season. This is based on the condition, that no large
reinvasions occur from outside untreated colonies.
Efficacy of the trickling treatment method with oxalic acid in brood
free
colonies. control treatment with Perizin, all the others with sprayed
oxalic acid.
Summation (Results or Review)of mite mortality following oxalic
acid and the control treatments. Side effects on the bees You only
reckon with single dead bees during the two weeks after treatment.
We found on several trial sites, generally feeble colonies in the
Spring of
1998. This was also confirmed elsewhere in Switzerland and abroad
in many apiaries where oxalic acid was not used to treat bees. Because
conclusive comparative trials still miss the effect on bees, the
oxalic acid trickling method cannot be definitively assessed at
the present time.
For the Autumn 1998 until Spring 99 trials * are planned to clarify
this
specific question in order to optimize the formulation, the concentration
and dosage. Temporarily, a repeated treatment of colonies in the
Summer and Autumn with the oxalic acid trickled treatment must be
avoided.
The rationale for this is the insufficient impact in colonies with
brood and
perhaps the poor tolerance by the bees.
Protective measures; During the application of oxalic acid, acid
resistant
gloves and goggles must be worn. Whilst spraying oxalic acid, an
organic
acid resistant face mask must additionally be worn. Type FFP2SL
EN 149
refers. The complete safety equipment which is required for the
alternative Varroa control treatment is available from the bee trade
suppliers or specialist firms. Producing the oxalic acid solution
should be undertaken only by trained personnel**.
Result.
There were no differences between the treatment results of either
spraying or trickling. The average was over 95%. Such good efficacy
against Varroa can only be achieved in brood free colonies.
The tolerance of the bees to the trickle method is less than that
to the
spray method of application, therefore the spray application by
spraying is recommended.
Multiple treatment with oxalic acid by trickling is NOT recommended.
Imdorf A., Charriere J D., Bachofen B. (1997) The control of the
efficacy of
control methods against Varroa jacobsoni with help of the oxalic
acid
Translation Peter Hutton
Translation Consultant, Swiss Bee Master Walter Bienz
Calendar
Countywide
September 2001
Ashford
Friday
5th October Mr Brian Weston -
"The Gentle Art of Making Skeps"
Bromley
7th Sunday morning meeting at the Apiary 11:45am Bees, tea and chat
4th November Sunday morning meeting at the Apiary 11:45am Bees,
tea and chat.
First Sunday of the month 11.45am at the apiary club all branches
welcome at the Kent House Road Leisure Gardens, 91a Kent House Road,
Sydenham, Kent SE26. Opposite Woodbastwick Rd. http://www.kentbee.com/bromley/
Canterbury Nothing advised
Dartford.
15th Dartford Honey Show at Acacia Hall, High Street, Dartford
There are many open classes
Gravesend
Branch
AGM 27th Venue to be arranged
Mid
Kent Branch (Maidstone & Swale)
23rd 7.30 pm at the Bull PH East Farleigh a talk on Solitary Bees
by Geoff
Allen
Orpington
November Wednesday 14th Harvest supper & AGM at Towncourt Rooms
Memorial
Hall, Petts Wood at 8 pm.
Sidcup
Nothing advised
Sevenoaks
& Tunbridge Wells
6th Honey Show, Otford Church Hall staging 10 judging 1130 opens
to public 1-4 free entrance .
Weald
Weald honey show 20 Oct at 2.30, Benenden village hall.
Westerham
24th Wed 8pm Westerham Hall AGM honey competition for the Miller
& Veness cups
Whitstable
& Herne Bay
Nothing advised
Wanted
Honey to purchase, if you have too much honey for your needs,
contact Richard Fryd on 01622 891269, Richard is keen to purchase
your surplus.
Apistan
Resistance Test (1) cut a piece of apistan strip 9 x 25mm staple
to a thin card (2) place card with acaracide uppermost in a honey
jar (3) cover with a piece of plastic 2-3mm mesh held on with rubber
band(4)shake adult bees from 1 or 2 frames to half fill jar (5)
place sugar cube in jar, refix mesh, store in dark at room temperature(6)
after 24 hours hit the upturned jar with hand to dislodge mites
over white paper, repeat twice. Count mites(7)immerse bees in jar
in solution of washing up liquid & water(8) wash dead bees to
remove mites, place dead bees in a coarse sieve with a fine honey
straining cloth underneath. Run water from tap or spray through
bees so that mites run thro screen into straing bag. Count number
of mites.(9) If number is less than 5 discard result (10) calculate
the efficacy as a percentage, multiply the number of mites knocked
down by 100 and divide the total number of mites i.e. the number
knocked down plus those washed off. If the answer is less than 50%
it indicates a resistance problem is likely. Repeat the test at
least once more. (11) Fill out form VVRT(1) and mail to NBU Room
10GA01, CSL Sand Hutton Yorks YO41 1LZ The form is directly available
off the website or the above address, queries call 01904 462510
Beekeeping
Courses
Beekeeping Courses at Plumpton College
Course Title: Beekeeping - Intermediate Course - Honey Bee Management
Module 1
Duration: 10 weeks Time: 1.30pm - 4.30pm Start date: Wednesday 26th
September 2001 Course Code: AA7/01
Course fee: £75 Fee Concessions
Contact: June Wells
Topics will include hive types in use and the principles of hive
design;
apiary sites and hive layout; seasonal bee management, swarm control,
feeding, the use of nuclei and moving bees.
Beekeeping
Courses at Plumpton College
Course Title:Beekeeping Intermediate Course - Honey Bee Diseases,
Pests and
Poisoning -Module 3
Duration: 10 weeks
Time: 1.30pm - 4.30pm
Start Date: Wednesday 9th January 2002Course Code: AA6/01
Contact: June Wells
Course fee: £75 Fee concessions
Bee
keeping for Beginners
Tonbridge Adult Education Centre
Help to swell the number of new practioners by learning the basics
of theory and practice. Follows the British Bee Keepers Association
basic examination syllabus (BBKA)
5 weeks course
Thursday November 1st At Tonbridge
Fee £25 concessions, £15 & £12.50
Lecturer Peter Hutton
Tonbridge Adult Education Centre Avebury Avenue Tonbridge TN9 1TG
tel. 01732 35413
Plumpton College
Beekeeping - Preliminary Course
Duration: 12 weeks Time: 1.30pm - 4.30pm
Start Date: Wednesday 10th April 2002
Course Code: AA3/01 Course fee: £75
Contact: June Wells Fee concessions
This popular successful course is appropriate if you are interested
in
keeping bees, or are already a beekeeper and would like to gain
the BBKA
(British Beekeepers Association) Basic Beekeeping Certificate.
Beekeeping
Courses at Plumpton College
Course Title: Basic Food Hygiene for beekeepers
Duration: One day.
Time: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.
Start date: Tuesday 4th December 2001. Course Code: AD1/01/
Contact: June Wells
Course fee: No Charge
.. On successful completion of the course participants will receive
the
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health's Basic Food Hygiene
Certificate.
Beekeeping
Courses at
Plumpton CollegeCourse Title: Beekeeping -
British Beekeepers Standard Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry
Duration: 30 sessions - 2 years
Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm
Start Date: Wednesday 3rd October 2001 Course Code: AA8/01
Contact: June Wells
Course fee: £75 / term
A course with a practical emphasis to prepare beekeepers for the
BBKA
Standard Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry assessment. Alternatively
the course is an excellent way to improve practical beekeeping skills
without acquiring a formal qualification
Hadlow College Courses
Ring 0500551434
KB news supplement October 2001
2001/2002 Educational courses
A number of bee keeping courses are being offered at various locations
and costs. It is difficult to advise on best value for money. Several
courses
are offered for the serious student intending to achieve the BBKA
intermediate certificate which is now processed in a modular form.
Both
Plumpton and Hadlow colleges offer Intermediate Certificate tuition,
Plumpton courses are of 10 weeks duration and are specifically for
modules 1 & 3 and cost £75 each, the tutor is Maurice
Fields, well known for his bee keeping expertise and an author as
well. The classes are are Wednesday afternoons from 1.30 to 4.30.pm
Both courses at Plumpton will be completed in time for the March
25th examination date. Hadlow College offers 3 ten week courses
at Intermediate level and clearly state that whilst each course
is independent they are in fact complimentary to cover modules 1-4.
In answer to a specific question as to which module is taught when,
whether the teaching is sequential to the syllabus and with examination
success in mind, such information has not been forthcoming excepting
colony management which is part of Module 1 and takes place during
the summer course. Each course costs £100 The intermediate
courses are being held at Canterbury not Hadlow as stated in the
Prospectus. There are two beginners courses at Canterbury, one in
February and one in May, both are of six weeks duration and each
course cost £60.
Plumpton College also has a beginners preliminary course of twelve
weeks for just £75 for the whole course. This will lead students
to take the basic
BBKA examination as an approved course.
At Tonbridge in November there is a five week course at for beginners
at £25 fee concessions of £15 & £12.50 this
is followed in May by a five week
practical session concluding the official BBKA basic syllabus.
There are two microscopy courses on offer in 2002 One at Hadlow
College on the 23/24th of February at a cost of £75, student
numbers are limited to 14.
The course is stated to be essential to students taking the BBKA
microscopy examination.
The second microscopy course is at Flatford Mill Field Study Centre
at East Bergholt in Suffolk, the course tutor is Kent's. John Cowan
NDB, this course is some distance from Kent but Kent beekeepers
have attended in the past and speak highly of the course.
Microscopy
for Beekeepers
Flatford Mill
Friday
14th June -Sunday 16th June
Course
Tutor: Dr. John Cowan
This
is a practical course using microscopes for the study of a number
of
aspects of beekeeping, including comparison of pollen from bee loads
with
pollen from local flowers, study of pollen in honey, honeybee dissection,
detection of nosema and acarine and preparation of slides of exoskeleton.
Instruction will be given in the use of high & low powered microscopes.
Course
fees; residential £TBA, non residential £TBA that includes
packed
lunches and evening meals.
For
more information & a recommended book list, please contact the;
Field Studies Council Flatford Mill, East Bergholt Suffolk CO7 6UL
tel 01206 298283 fax 298892 email fsc.flatford@ukonline.co.uk
Hadlow College Bee Keeping Courses
Visit http://www.hadlow.ac.uk
Ring 01732850551 or 0500551434
Contributions for Kentishbee to the Editor, peter.hutton@btinternet.com
or 22 Goods Station Road, Tunbridge Wells Kent TN12DB tel 01892
530688
