1) Package Bee Treatment Project

Summary: This Spring many beekeepers will be replenishing dead hives with packages. As all bees have some level of varroa mites, controlling mites in newly installed hives before brood is capped is key to ensure colony growth in the spring and summer. NY Bee Wellness, partnering with Beta-tec, maker of HopGuard II, will be conducting a program where beekeepers will treat their newly hived packages with either HopGuard II or oxalic acid, retreating in the Fall, and checked monthly for efficacy of treatments. This monitored trial is a first for the Northeast region. Similar trials have been done in the Southwest.

 Needed are beekeepers interested in participating this year, commencing April 2017.

Basic requirements:   
   -     
Participants will be beekeepers primarily from NYS (neighboring states are OK) who will be introducing 3# packages into their apiary in April or May 2017.   
    
 Requirements:
 
   - Proficiency in powdered sugar roll mite count assessments
   - Accurate record keeping and data entry on an online survey, by recording varroa mite counts, strength of colonies, outdoor temperature
   - Proficient in basic beekeeping, At least 2-3 years of experience in beekeeping
   - Use of either oxalic acid dribble or HopGuard II, according to prescribed protocol, on newly hived packages
   - HopGuard II users must sign a product waiver
   - Participants will be required to view videos and read and follow instructions

Supplied are the miticides, supplies, education, information.
 
2.    New York State Virus Mapping project

 Varroa mites vector many viruses. Currently the presence and perhaps spread of various predominant honey bee viruses has not been sufficiently documented.

  
   
   - Participants will send samples of bees to BVS, Inc. four times in 2017
   - Results will be sent to participant and NY Bee Wellness and will be mapped by county location only (name and specific location will not be listed) on the NY Bee Wellness website, NYBeeWellness.org
   - Participants must be proficient in basic beekeeping, At least 2-3 years of experience in beekeeping.
   - Samples sent per protocol, at prescribed times during the year
   - Accurate record keeping and data entry on an online survey, such as strength of colonies
 Supplied are the shipping supplies, education, information.


NOTE: If you have already enrolled in another monitoring program, we ask that you let other beekeepers have access to monitoring, as resources are limited.

Both programs are looking for a geographic range of participants 

If you would like to be part of one or both of these studies, and for more details and any questions, please contact me ASAP.

                      Thank you!

Pat Bono
[log in to unmask]
585-820-6619
nybeewellness.org
  

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