Best Management Practices for Beekeepers. Tim Schuler New Jersey Department of Agriculture

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1 Best Management Practices for Beekeepers Tim Schuler New Jersey Department of Agriculture

2 Some bees are manageable but some aren t

3 What are bees? The word bees means different things to different people. To the general population bee refers to any type of stinging insects. A beekeeper generally thinks honey bee Some one who was stung, by a bee. They don t t differentiate Honey bees get a bad rap

4 Why do people keep honey bees? Pollination crops, gardens, wildlife Honey production Mental health - calming effect some people Educational - Social insect Medicinal benefits alergies,, MS, arthritis Environmental benefits - wildlife

5 Honey bees

6 Honey bee - Apis Melifera Live in colonies Covered with hair Golden colored Cavity nester ¾ inch long Sting to defend hive or self.

7 How do they behave? They are Content when they are working. They all work for the success of the hive. They will sting to defend themselves or their hive. They communicate through odors and vibrations. Smoker most important beekeeping tool.

8 Normal Work Attire

9 What is a swarm? Natural occurrence Colony crowded Make new queens Old queen and workers leave and search for suitable cavity

10 Will a swarm attack me? NO When Honey bees swarm they are at their gentlest Their honey stomachs are full, very hard to use sting muscles. They hove no home to defend

11 What about Killer bees? There are instances where Africanized Honey bees have caused massive stinging incidents. Africanized Honey bees killer bees are not in New Jersey, never have been.

12 What to do with a swarm?

13 What should I do if I find a swarm? Prepare before hand. Check the NJBA website for a beekeeper near you County extension office My office Pamphlet Bees on the Move

14 Paper Wasps

15 Paper Wasps

16 Paper Wasp Behavior Dusty yellow to dark brown Little or no hair ¾ ti 1 inch in length Generally gentle Food = other insects Smooth sting Grey paper nest in protected areas

17 Bumble bee

18 Bumble behavior Yellow with Black stripes 1 inch long with hair Generally gentle Food = Nectar and pollen Smooth sting Nest = small cavities in old mouse nests, dry Rattle when aproaching nest

19 Hornet

20 Hornet

21 Hornet Behavior Black and white color No hair ¾ inch long Aggressive Food = other insects Smooth Sting Large paper nests upside down pear shape

22 Yellow Jacket

23 Yellow Jacket behavior Black and Yellow, no hair ½ inch long Aggressive Food = sugary drinks, other insects, human food, meat, over ripe fruit. Nests = small umbrella-shaped papery combs hanging horizontally in protected spaces such as attics, eaves or soil cavities

24 What is a Sting? a sharp-pointed pointed organ in insects and certain other animals, used to prick, wound, or inject poison Some are barbed Some are smooth

25 Why do insects Sting? To defend their nest To defend themselves Because they are cranky

26 Types of Stings Smooth Yellow Jackets Wasps Hornets Bumblebees Can sting multiple times Barbed Honey bee Stings 1 X and dies 3 minuets to get full dose.

27 Reaction to a Sting

28 How do honey bees impact our environment? They are not native to the Americas (1622) Provide honey, bees wax, pollination for people, and wildlife. Provide pollination better = larger volume and size of seeds, nuts and fruits. Honey bees sensitive to environmental chemicals (PSU research next slide)

29 Pollination Benefit to wildlife Hard to measure Many of the wild plants honey bees work provide seed, fruit and cover for wildlife. Oak Tulip Popular Wild blueberry Clovers Wildflowers Holly Wild cherry Ect. The more feed and cover available the more viable the wildlife population dependent on these things.

30 Good and Bad pollination Ample pollen transfer More uniform the berry Larger size of the berry

31 Good and Bad pollination Straight even are most desirable. Curved uneven are pretty much worthless

32 Good News for beekeeping The media attention has been good for beekeepers. The general public is very concerned with the plight of honey bees. Huge interest in people becoming beekeepers (other states) Rutgers beginner beekeeper course People took Beginner course, beyond basics 2008,- 330 people took beginner course 2007, people took beginner course 2006, 141 took course Total of 580 beginner beekeepers in last 3 years. NJDA beginner beekeeper Grant program. Branch courses, about 80 students per year, 320 last 4 yrs. Many people just try beekeeping with out any training.

33 More information Bee Inspection on.html New Jersey Beekeepers Association web site njbeekeepers.org/ Rutgers Beekeeping Course MARREC Bee Culture Magazine National Honey Board

34 Urban beekeeping It is possible to keep honey bees in crowded suburban areas, on tiny city lots or on rooftops in large or small cities without problems. However, keeping bees successfully in a populated area requires a good understanding of basic bee biology, property rights and human psychology. Beekeepers in suburbs and cities need to manage their bees so they do not become a nuisance to their neighbors. By understanding the circumstances under which bees will bother people, beekeepers can take measures to alter circumstances so their bees do not create a problem.

35 Urban beekeeping Honey bees can be kept almost anywhere there are flowering plants that produce nectar and pollen. NYC, London, Paris Choose a site for beehives that is discrete, sheltered from winds and partially shaded. Be considerate of non-beekeeping neighbors. Place hives so that bee flight paths do not cross sidewalks, playgrounds or other public areas. Provide your bees with a water source in your yard to prevent them from seeking out water at neighbors' swimming pools or water spigots.

36 BMP s purpose = Reduce conflict with neighbors Some Beekeepers can be unreasonable Some Neighbors can be unreasonable Beekeepers confidence or lack there of can effect neighbors. Some neighbors petrified of bees because of bad experience with yellow jackets, hornets, or wasps.

37 BMP s 1. There must be no more than three hives of honey bees per lot size of one-quarter acre or less. 2. All colonies must be located at least 25 feet from a public sidewalk, alley, street or roads. 3. All apiaries must have on site an adequate source of water within 25 feet of the hive(s) at all times (especially between March 1st and October 31st). 4. A 6-feet high solid fence or hedge must be erected if the colonies are within 10 feet of a neighbor s property.

38 BMP s 5. All bee equipment and hives must be maintained in good condition. 6. All colonies must be kept in moveable frame hives in accordance with N.J.S.A.4: All colonies must be inspected by the beekeeper or his delegate no less than three times between March 1 and October 1 of each year. 8. A substantial barrier/ fence must be erected to prevent animals and children from coming into close contact with the hives.

39 Inconsistencies Health officer support beekeeper if local ordinance does not expressly prohibit. I am aware of 3 municipalities that prohibit 1 municipality allows with restrictions Health Officer does not support beekeeper if 1 neighbor complains, yet municipality does not expressly prohibit Nuisance What about pets, pools, parties, smoking, ect

40 Further information Tim Schuler State Apiarist Web Site prog/beeinspection.html