**Managing Pests and Predators in Beekeeping**: Learn about battling mites, beetles, moths, and more to protect your hiv

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