1 / 11

Pests and Predators

Pests and Predators. The Not-So-Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Predators and Pests What We Will Cover . Mites: Tracheal and Varroa Small Hive Beetle Wax Moths Ants, Spiders, Earwigs Wasps, Hornets, Yellow Jackets Mice Skunks, Raccoons, Badgers, Bears

akasma
Download Presentation

Pests and Predators

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Pests and Predators The Not-So-Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

  2. Predators and PestsWhat We Will Cover • Mites: Tracheal and Varroa • Small Hive Beetle • Wax Moths • Ants, Spiders, Earwigs • Wasps, Hornets, Yellow Jackets • Mice • Skunks, Raccoons, Badgers, Bears • Domestic Livestock and Not-So-Domestic

  3. Predators and Pests • Mites: Began to be a significant problem in the mid 1980’s with 50%-80% losses in the North East in 1995. • Tracheal mites (Acampiswoodi) • Microscopic in size, numerous enough to impede respiration • See bees crawling on ground in front of hive • Biggest problem in Fall decreasing the life span of the Winter bee • Treatment: Menthol and formic acid (Mite-Away II) • temperature dependant (50-79 degrees); most effective 60-75 degrees • can’t use when honey supers are on • grease patties may stop the transfer of mites from one bee to another (6c sugar mixed with 3 c hydrogenated vegetable shortening – Crisco) divided into 10 patties, 1 per hive

  4. Mites cont. Varroa mites (Varroa destructor): Originally found on the eastern hive bee of Asia which had adapted to the mite and enjoyed a host/parasite relationship. Transferred to the honey bee which did not have a defense to this parasite resulting in killing majority of feral hives in US • Oval reddish brown mite lives on the outside of the adult bee and larva and are visible • Detection: Mite board inserted under the screened bottom board or ether roll technique • Treatment: • Apistan; Mite-Away II; Sucrocide; Apiguard; Api Life Var; Hivastan; Check Mite (illegal to harvest honey) Mites have developed resistance to Apistan • Soft chemicals such as Formic Acid, Thymol, Sucrose octanoate can be sprayed on bees; treats tracheal mites; Eucalyptus essential oil • Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Natural method • Drone comb • Screened bottom boards • Split (no brood)

  5. Predators and Pests cont. • Small Hive Beetle (Aethinatumida) • Discovered in southern US in 1996. • Adult has six legs, two pair of wings, reddish brown/black, ¼” long; feed off of pollen on solid bottom boards • Larvae are cream; 1/16”; when mature they burrow into the ground under the hive • Treatment: Usually not necessary in this state Relocate hive Freezing temps

  6. Predators and Pests cont. • Wax Moths -- Don’t attack bees directly • Larvae feed on combs (pollen, brood) • Healthy hive will take care of them • Abandoned or improperly stored frames

  7. Predators and Pests cont. • Ants • Placement of hive away from established nest • Vaseline, ashes, diatomaceous earth, cinnamon • Spiders • Ghost spider predates on field bees • Earwigs

  8. Predators and Pests cont. • Wasps, Hornets, Yellow Jackets • Will take over a weak hive • Trap queens in early spring (March) • Can fly in colder temperature • Hang traps near hive

  9. Predators and Pests cont. Mice – restrict opening Skunks and Raccoons – keep hive off ground, secure hive bodies Badgers – secure hive bodies Bears – 7’ tall heavy duty electrified fence

  10. Predators and Pests cont. Domestic livestock • Poultry • Cows, Horses, etc. Not domesticated!

  11. Predators and PestsThe Not-So-Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Summary Pests and Predators In-hive Out-of-hive Treatment and/or deterrent IPM – Integrated Pest Management Healthy, strong hives

More Related