Backyard Beekeeping in Florida

Transcription

1 Backyard Beekeeping in Florida Richard Martyniak Entomologist The Buzzkillers,LLC

2 Beginning Beekeeping Bee Biology & Classification History of Beekeeping Beekeeping Equipment Laws / Regulations Setting Up & Maintaining Bee Hives Pest & Disease Management African Honey Bees in Florida Questions & Discussion

3 Who we are Fla registered bee keepers

4 Who we are Fla registered bee keepers Fla certified pest control operators

5 Who we are Fla registered bee keepers Fla certified pest control operators GATOR Entomologists! Johnny Rotten & Richard Martyniak

6 Q: Did you hear that they can't have any more parties at Georgia?

7 Q: Did you hear that they can't have any more parties at Georgia? A: The guy who knew the recipe for ice graduated.

8 Bee Biology & Classification To me, a bee is a bee, a wasp is a bee, a hornet is a bee

9 Bee Biology & Classification Animalia:Animals Insecta:Insects 6 legs, 3 segmented body Hymenoptera: Ants,Bees,Wasps

10 Some Hymenoptera Wasps Crabronidae Natural enemies of pests Sphecius speciosus -- Cicada killer wasp Sphecidae Thread-waisted wasps Sceliphron caementarium Black & yellow Mud Dauber Vespidae -- Traditional wasps Bees Apidae Apis mellifera spp. -- Honey bee Bombus Bumblebees Megachilidae Leaf-Cutter & Mason Bees Halictidae Metallic & Miner bees

11 Wasps vs. Bees Wasps Yellow Jackets, Paper wasps, digger wasps Carnivorous, some parasitic Hairs- no split ends Social structure varies Paper nests Bees Honey Bees, Bumble Bees, Digger Bees, etc. Herbivorous Hairs split ends Social Structure varies Wax nests (glands) Evolved from ants/wasps 60mya

12 Eastern Yellow Jacket Vespula maculifrons Honey bee Apis mellifera

13 Bumble bee

14 Bumble Bee

15 Bumble bee nest Most bumble bees nest in the ground. Above ground, some will occupy abandoned bird nests, attics, soffits and spaces under mobile homes. Colonies are annual and tend to be small containing a few hundred individuals

16 Carpenter bee

17 Honey bee Apis mellifera Social insect living in colonies of 10,000 to 80,000 individuals Only social bee or wasp that has a true perennial colony that lasts many years (exc. Vespula squamosa southern states) Honey bee is important to agriculture and nature for pollination Super Organism -concept

18 Honey bee castes Queen: fertile female only one exists in each hive Worker: sterile female most individuals in colony duties build and repair the hive forage for nectar and pollen produce wax and honey feed the young protect hive against enemies Drone: male mates with females Parasites? Varroa mite

19 Honey bee Lifecycle

20 Apis mellifera spp. 24 sub species Difficult to sight ID to sub species Species origination Africa

21 History of Beekeeping

22 2400 BC Egypt

23 660 BC Egypt

24 500 BC India

25 384 BC Greece Aristotle Foulbrood Observation: Bees exploit single flower species in bloom

26 Middle Ages Skeps Little innovation Destructive management

27 North America 1622-introduction of Honey Bees White man s flies Most successful exotic invasive species Ever Use of Skeps,Baskets

28 Reverend Langstroth Father of American Beekeeping Beespace Discovery

29 Langstroth Hive 1851 Revolutionizes Beekeeping Non-destructive Honey Production skyrockets, no longer scarce by 1870 s

30 Invention avalanche Smoker Designs Wax foundations Queen excluders

31 Beekeeping Today Langstroth Top Bar Hive Moveable Frames

32 Beekeeping Equipment Smoker: calms bees Pine straw, etc. Hive Tool Veils Gloves Note telescoping cover Not advised in Fla.

33 Beekeeping Equipment Veils: Protect face eyes,nose, mouth You re doing it wrong

34 You re doing it wrong

38 Beekeeping Equipment Veils: Protect face eyes,nose, mouth You re still doing it wrong!!

39 Beekeeping Equipment Bee suits: Sting resistant Not sting proof Beginners & ornery bees

42 Beekeeping Equipment Bee suits: Sting resistant Not sting proof Beginners & ornery bees Brazilian Style:

43 Beekeeping Equipment Bee suits: Sting resistant Not sting proof Beginners & ornery bees Um

44 Beekeeping Equipment Langstroth Hive: Hive Stand Bottom board (Screened) Hive body-(ies) Super(s) Top board Wooden/vs poly Preservative???

45 Beekeeping Equipment Nuc Hive Box: Starter colonies Nucleus Queen rearing

46 Beekeeping Equipment Nuc Hive Box: Swarm Catching

47 Beekeeping Equipment Feeding Jars Sugar feeding Dearth/Winter Sucrose 1:1 ; 2:1 ratios HFCS High Fructose Corn Syrup Protein feeding Medications

48 Beekeeping Equipment Foundation Beeswax or plastic coated with beeswax (plasticell) Embossed with comb shape Forces bees to build sized cells

49 Beekeeping Equipment Bottom Board Screened bb widely adopted in Florida Reduces a nasty pest, varroa mite Increases ventilation in warmer climes

50 Beekeeping Equipment Alternatives to Langstroth Boxes Top Bar Hive Boxes Kenyan Tanzanian Bushfarms.com Removable frames Req d. for inspections Sketchup.google.com

51 Florida Apiary Rules & Regulations

52 Apiary Rules & Regulations Chapter 586, Florida Statutes, Rule Chapter 5B-54 Regulates honey bee pests & unwanted races FDACS Dept of Plant Industry Bureau of Plant & Apiary Inspection Establishes annual inspections Certificate of Beekeeping registration Annual fees 1-5: $ $ $ $ $100

53 Apiary Rules & Regulations Chapter 586, Florida Statutes, Rule Chapter 5B-54 Apiaries must remain accessible for inspections Inspectors advise beekeepers on ID & Treatment of pests/diseases Hive boxes must be permanently imprinted w/ regist. Numbers Hives must have removable frames Samples taken for Africanization testing Quarantine and destruction of infested hives All AFB infested hives will be destroyed by burning Compensation at ½ value of equipment value Hives infested w/ other pests or unwanted races will be quarantined No compensation Asst Chief. Jerry Hayes:

54 Apiary Rules & Regulations Best Management Practices for maintaining European Bee colonies Minimize threat of Africanized Honey Bees (AHB) & dilute ferals Voluntary: Signed Compliance Agreement Replacement queens/cells to be procured from EHB breeders Swarm collecting is discouraged Practice swarm prevention Maintain strong colonies Re-queen unmarked queens w/ EHB Maintain drone source colonies Apiary sites: Away from tethered or confined animals,students,elderly,public Public roadways and visitors Treat all honey bees with respect Download BMP at:

55 Setting Up & Maintaining Bee Hives

56 Starting with bees Swarms- not recommended Nucs local beekeepers Packages Google suppliers Bulk buy w/ club members

57 Starting with bees Races of bees Italian (ligustica) Gentle, good honey producers Carniolan (carnica) Start early, but swarm Russian Hygenic, mite resistant No Hybrids

58 When do I do what? Order In September for Spring delivery Usually delivered April-May Install North Fla. March South Fla: February

59 When to open hives Spring & Summer Every 7-10 days Fall Every 2-3 weeks Winter As needed Check bees, brood, eggs, honey, pollen and look for signs of distress

60 Signs & Signals of a happy colony Bees well up when hive is opened Solid brood/egg patterns Drawing comb Honey & Pollen What to look for

61 Pest & Disease Management So much of beekeeping now is about keeping diseases at bay. You almost need a pathology degree to be a successful beekeeper these days. Overheard at beekeeping beedoodles.com

62 Pest & Disease Management

63 Are Honey bees going extinct?? If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live. No more bees, no more pollination... No more men! Albert Einstein??

64 Colony Collapse Disorder Plausible causes: Are bees going extinct?? Intensive monocultural agricultural practices Less diversity, reduction in nutrition quality Migratory beekeeping Stress ( spacial) Bromenshek 2010? Innoculating local populations with disease/pathogens Intense management practices Replacing HFCS /sugar syrups for honey Pollen substitutes Pesticides Nicotinoids Sub-lethal effects; especially on brood. GMO crops Herbicides ++++: brood nutrition Climactic conditions Habitat reduction Pathogen Complex: Varroa/Nosema spp.: Virus load

65 Colony Collapse Disorder Are bees going extinct?? Non plausible - causes: Power Lines Michele Bachman Cell Phones Chem-Trails Aliens Chupacabra Solar Activity Earth s magnetic field shifting The Rapture Herman Cain FSU Fans My Ex-wife Remember, honey bees are NOT going extinct!

66 Pest & Disease mgt. MITES: Varroa destructor Public Enemy No. 1! Decreased vigor Activation of latent viruses Virus Transmission Vertical Brood Horizontal ars.usda.gov

67 Pest & Disease mgt. MITES: Varroa destructor Management. dadant.com Sample Sample Sample! IPM Thresholds 40 mites/ 24hrs Screened Bottom Boards Essential Oils & Acids Thymol Apiguard, Apilife VAR Formic MiteAway II Hop beta acids Hopguard Thru Dec 2011, Sec. 18 Emerg. exemption Sugar Esters Sucrocide Reistant/Tolerant Stock VSH Minn. Hygenics Russians Scientificbeekeeping.com Scientificbeekeeping.com

68 Pest & Disease mgt. MITES: Tracheal mites Acarapis woodi Infest bee trachea ars.usda.gov Walking Dead K wings Not much of a problem in South ars.usda.gov Danny Jensen

69 Small Hive Beetle ( SHB ) Aethina tumida Nitiluids South African import Opportunistic scavengers Rotting fruit & But REALLY like Honey Bees Attracted to yeasts in fermenting honey??? Yeast & pollen creates alarm pheromone Attracts flying adults ars.usda.gov

70 Small Hive Beetle ( SHB ) Cultural/Mechanical Control Cleanliness Cleanup stray wax pieces, Wooden ware Weak Colonies SHB Survive best in weak colonies So...KEEP STRONG HEALTHY COLONIES Traps ars.usda.gov

71 Small Hive Beetle ( SHB ) Genetic Control Hygenic - Hygenic bees detect, and abort brood.(remove egs and larvae) Biological Control Assumption : diseases that hurt or kill shb UF research Entomopathogenic nematodes (heat seeking missiles) Integrate methods IPM -economic thresholds ars.usda.gov

72 Nosema Nosema apis & now Nosema ceranae Microsporidian Fungal like Attacks mid-gut Nutritional effects Dysentary Fast acting ars.usda.gov

73 Other Diseases Bacterial: American Foul Brood (AFB) European Foul Brood (EFB) Fungal : Chalkbrood Viral: Sacbrood Pesticide poisoning Plant poisoning ars.usda.gov

74 Other Pests Wax Moth Ants Yellow Jackets Hornets Skunks Bears Teenage Boys, spouses, etc.

75 African Honey Bees & Pest Honey ; Beedoodles.com

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77 The Truth About Africanized Honey Bees Africanized honey bees (AHB) are the same species as European honey bees (EHB). The sting of the AHB is not more dangerous or toxic than EHB.

78 Western Honey Bee Apis mellifera spp. o Apis mellifera ligustica o Italian Honey Bee o Gentle personality * o High honey production o Reluctance to swarming o Very prolific o Excellent housekeeper o Apis mellifera scutellata o African Honey Bee o Killer Bee o Fierce personality o Low honey production o High brood production o Swarms frequently o Very prolific o Excellent housekeeper

79 Dog Canis lupus spp. o Canis lupus familiaris (Dog) o Labrador Retriever o Smart o People oriented o Little upkeep needed o Soft-mouthed o Good natured personality o Canis lupus lupus (Wolf) o Gray Wolf o Smart o Xenophobic (People eaters) o Independent o Lotsa big teeth o Personality??

80 Dog Canis lupus spp. o Canis lupus familiaris (Dog) o Labrador Retriever o Smart o People oriented o Little upkeep needed o Soft-mouthed o Good natured personality o Canis lupus lupus (Wolf) o Gray Wolf o Smart o Xenophobic (People eaters) o Independent o Lotsa big teeth o Personality??

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82 Africanized Apis mellifera scuttelata

83 Insert ahb spread map

84 AHB Finds in Florida (estimate) Percent of Finds

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86 Pest Bees; North Central Fla: /11 FABIS test results of recent mean bee removals FABIS = Fast African Bee Identification System Gainesville <50% AHB Tree surgeons attacked Jacksonville <50% AHB (dog: near fatal sting incident) 86% AHB Belleview (Forced road closure) 99% AHB The Villages (forced golf course closure) 95% AHB Summerfield 96% AHB The Villages (Forced road closure)

87 Lake County Africanized Bees

88 Lake County Africanized Bees p

89 Yellow Jacket Defensive Response

90 Yellow Jacket Defensive Response p

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92 Africanized Honey Bees in Florida

94 Custom warning sign

95 Honey bee sting Honey bee stinger is barbed When a bee stings the stinger remains embedded. The bee pulls out the stinger, venom sac, and muscle. The reflex action of the muscles drive it deeper into the skin The venom sac repeatedly pulses to discharge more venom

96 Honey bee sting Venom contains many proteins Causes histamines to be produced in certain human tissues Direct effects Fraction F1 or Meletin (13 amino acids) causes local pain and inflammation Fraction F2 (18 amino acids + 2 enzymes) causes destruction of red blood cells

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98 p

99 Different stinging insect reactions 1. Hives 2. Swelling of the tongue 3. Swelling of the eyelids 4. Swelling of the lips 5. Swelling of the throat 6. Trouble breathing 7. Chest pain 8. Wheezy breathing 9. Itching all over 10.Localized redness 11.Redness all over 12.Shock (Low blood pressure, faint pulse) 13.Unconsciousness 14.Nausea

100 Treating stings General directions: Elevate the affected arm or leg and apply ice or a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain. Gently clean blisters with soap and water to prevent secondary infections; do not break blisters. Use topical steroid ointments or oral antihistamines to relieve itching. See your doctor if swelling progresses or if the sting site seems infected. If you are severely insect-allergic and have had prior reactions, Try to avoid being outdoors in case you require prompt emergency treatment Carry an auto-injectable epinephrine (adrenalin) device, a short-term treatment for severe allergic reaction Those with severe allergies should wear a special bracelet or necklace that identifies the wearer as having severe allergies

101 Immunotherapy Those suffering from severe allergic reactions to insect stings should discuss the option of receiving venom immunotherapy (VIT) from your doctor. VIT is a series of injections to expose patients to minute amounts of pure venom. Dosage is increased over the course of the therapy Patient builds tolerance to venom proteins that trigger allergic reactions. VIT is 97% successful in preventing future allergic reactions to insect stings and is usually completed after 3 to 5 years of regular injections

102 Bee Colonies as Pests Only experienced persons with protective equipment should attempt to remove or eliminate bee colonies. Improper removal can cause bees to attack bystanders Disturbing a defensive colony can endanger people & pets up to 150??? 300!! yards away from colony DACS/IFAS recommending certified operators ERADICATE Feral Honey Bees located in close proximity to humans or animals Mr.Jerry Hayes, State Apiarist, DACS Dr. Jamie Ellis, UF/IFAS Asst Professor, Apiculture.

103 Some parting thoughts All Beekeepers are "new-bee" beekeepers There is no "One way" to do beekeeping What works in the north may not work here in Fla. Careful of internet advice Ask questions, experiment, keep trying Attend beekeeping meetings, conferences, forums etc. Univ. of Fla. Bee College March, Marineland, Fla. Honey Bee Research & Extension Lab Entomologist Dr. Jamie Ellis Orange Blossom Beekeepers Meetings: 3 rd Thursday Orange County Extension Office Fla. State Association of Beekeepers State Meeting this Thurs- Saturday

104 Beesource Resources BEE-L list: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues & Bee Biology Get to know your Inspector Fla. Dept of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry Bureau of Plant & Apiary Inspection American Bee Journal Americanbeejournal.com Beekeeping Supply Houses: - dadant.com - kelleybees.com - deb-bee.com My contact info: Richard Martyniak rm@afbr.us Facebook: AllFloridaBeeRemoval

105 Fin The End Thank You!!! My Twin Thanks you too.. Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) National Lampoon s Vacation

106 Backyard Beekeeping in Florida Richard Martyniak Entomologist The Buzzkillers,LLC

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108 Pest Bees: Behavioural observations Entire state of Fla. Regional observations Colony defensiveness Swarms Colony locations Re-infestation rate Live Removals

109 Pest Bees: Colony defensiveness Unprovoked attacks to technicians: visits Residual alarm pheromone- ladders,equipment, bee suits? North 10% Tampa 50% Southwest 50% Southeast 50%

110 Pest Bees: Colony defensiveness Field bee stinging Lack of clustering near colony or on technician North 10% Tampa 50% Southwest 50% Southeast 75%

111 Pest Bees: Live Removals Performing only in Central & North Conditional North Re-queen +++ Absconding Success +++ Golden Front-line Re-queen Absconding Success - -

112 Pest Bees: Live Removals

120 Are you ready for a sting incident?

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135 Protect your self from a possible sting situations

136 Liability hot spot?

137 Size does matter. 10 feet wide 12 feet tall

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146 Future Gator Entomologist?

147 Future Gator Entomologist? Thank you!!

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149 AHB Aggression / Defensiveness Alerted and excited by noise Vibrations from motors, shears and even hand powered clippers. Alerted to the odors and fumes from power equipment. Alerted to the bad odors of mammals They sense changes in contrast in their environment and UV reflections of clothing.

150 Once they have used these clues, they send out guards to sting/mark the target. With mammals, the AHB follows the CO/2 trail and fly towards the face/mouth and nose area for full stinging effectiveness.

151 These people are at greater risk from encounters with feral AHB colonies because they are less able to escape the situation. Small Children Elderly Handicapped At-Risk Groups

152 At-Risk Groups Animals at risk Tethered or restrained Penned, caged or corralled Horses and bees don t mix

153 Different stinging insect reactions 1. Hives 2. Swelling of the tongue 3. Swelling of the eyelids 4. Swelling of the lips 5. Swelling of the throat 6. Trouble breathing 7. Chest pain 8. Wheezy breathing 9. Itching all over 10.Redness all over 11.Redness all over 12.Shock (Low blood pressure, faint pulse) 13.Unconsciousness 14.Nausea

154 Does your policy cover a sting incident? DACS Certifications General Household Pest Control Lawn & Ornamental Termite Fumigation

155 Dan Wall with Great Scot Insurance Your company is treating a colony of honey bees and they turn out to be African Killer Bees. The unthinkable happens, a group of children in the area gets stung. WHAT DO YOU DO?

156 Your policy does cover a sting incident. 1. Call your agent. 2. A claim will be filed. 3. An adjuster will handle the claim. 4. The Liability attorney would try to settle out of court. 5. Settlement ($500,000.00) because of accidental death 6. Non renewal with your current insurance company 7. Could have difficulty getting coverage for three years

157 Your policy does not cover a sting incident? The carrier will decline the claim Your Liability carrier will not pay Client/neighbor sues the bee company Bee company has no protection Bee company goes out of business Technician/CPO/owner personally Liable.

158 My Twin???? Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) National Lampoon s Vacation

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161 Twins??

162 Swarm season Pest Bees: Swarms Season duration, size of swarms North Spring & fall Spring & fall Year-round Tampa Southwest Southeast Year-round

163 Pest Bees: Colony Locations Trends to known African locations Water meters, overturned flower pots, ground level, external colonies North Low but + Tampa High Southwest Very High Southeast Very High

164 Time to reinfestation Pest Bees: Reinfestation Importance of proper bee-proofing, residual insecticide North 1-? years Tampa 2-4 weeks Southwest 2-4 weeks Southeast 1 week

165 How do you make University of Oklahoma cookies?

166 How do you make University of Oklahoma cookies? put in an Orange Bowl and beat for 3 hours.

167 What do you call a Oklahoma player with a championship ring?

168 What do you call a Oklahoma player with a championship ring? A thief!

169 Why did the Oklahoma football team change its name to the Possums"?

170 Why did the Oklahoma football team change its name to the Possums"? Because they play dead at home and get killed on the road.

171 How do you make an FSU fan sit during a football game?

172 How do you make an FSU fan sit during a football game? Tell them they are playing the Gators!

173 CCD- colony collapse disorder History 2007> Post winter 2010 Almond Symptoms: Declining, Queen & attendents. No secondary pests. Possible causes Physiological stress Viruses & other pathogens opportunistic Genetic Fragmented ribosomal rrna (U of I/USDA 2009) Higher frequencies in CCD colonies Allowing viruses to "hijack the ribosome"? Producing only viral proteins Compromised ribosome can't produce proper proteins to sustain pathogen defense or other stresses

174 CCD- colony collapse disorder Parasites Varroa mite Spreads viruses Removes hemolymph ("bee blood") Disease Nosema - microsporidian (fungus like) apis Ceranae Asian in origin, now worldwide Spain Israel acute paralysis virus

175 CCD- colony collapse disorder Intensive monocultural agricultural practices Less diversity, reduction in nutrition quality Migratory beekeeping Stress ( spacial) Innoculating local populations with disease/pathogens Intense management practices Replacing HFCS /sugar syrups for honey Pollen substitutes Pesticides Nicotinoids Sub-lethal effects GMO crops Herbicides Climatic conditions Changes in Agricultural customs Reduced ability of annual migratory activity Europe<>Africa Habitat reduction

176 CCD- colony collapse disorder Managed Colonies only. Migratory>Hobbyist Rarely seen in feral colonies???? Ongoing & Serious