Notes from the Apiary Inspector, June 2024

Happy Summer!

Our weather has been SUPER unpredictable: with fluctuating temps and weekly precipitation, it has been quite challenging. What a crazy Spring! 

On the first sunny day after several days of rain, we received many swarm calls.Both primary swarms and residual swarms seem to be a very common theme this year, along with "I think I am queenless."  We could ask ourselves, "Did they get a mating flight or were they poorly mated?"???????????"

Apiary Inspectors and inspections are in FULL swing. We had a large number of nuc inspection requests this year.   This year's overwintering numbers seem better than this year: my thought on this is that beekeepers managed better varroa control.  

New Product Approvals

Two new varroa control products have been approved for use here in Maryland.  Both are different forms of Oxalic acid.  

VarroxSan: an extended release Oxalic acid strip
Ez-OX: oxalic acid premeasured tablets.  

Both of these products have the same active ingredient, but have a different mode of action.

Get Your Free Mite Test Kits!

MDA has received a grant to purchase Mite-check-kits, and my office is now filled with cases of them. We will be trying to get out to each local beekeeping club at some point this season to give away free Mite-check kits to every registered beekeeper.  

It's Survey Season!

Maryland Apiary Inspectors will again participate in the National Honeybee Survey. We are looking for beekeepers with 8 or more beehives in the same location who would be willing and wanting to participate.  Survey participation is free of charge: an inspector will take 1/3 cup samples of bees from each colony, and beeswax for the double sampling. Tests are run on the samples and the beekeeper will later get a print out and run down of hive issues and virus presence and prevalence. Anyone wishing to participate should contact me. Cybil.preston@maryland.gov.

Invasive Surveillance

MDA has placed swarm traps and baited invasive traps out at several locations at both the Port of Baltimore and at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. The swarm lures and sugar bait are refreshed bi-weekly! We are looking for any invasives, mostly of the asian hornet variety.  

Maryland State Fair

I would like to encourage the local Beekeeping associations and ALL beekeepers to enter Club displays and educational exhibits in The Maryland State Fair. The Maryland State Fair exhibits will be accepted Sunday, August 18, 2024, from 3PM to 8PM, and Monday, August 19 2024, from 9AM to 7PM. Honey judging will be on Tuesday 8/20/2024. 

The Maryland State Fair will open 3 weekends, AUGUST 22 - 25 | AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 2 | SEPTEMBER 5 - 8 opening on Thursday 8/22/2024 and remaining open until 9/8/2024.  Consider taking some time this summer to prepare your entries for the EAS honey show, then for The State Fair!  

AFB Dogs

Cybil and Mack

The honeybee disease detector dogs are now on VACATION. Mack has worked 9 winters for the Maryland Department of Agriculture. He will officially retire June 30th, and will be enjoying the pool and lounging on his temperpedic dog bed to reflect on his 63 dog years of hard work. Mack will be getting the best care that I have to offer since he gave me his best for those nine seasons.      

Cybil Preston
Chief Apiary Inspector
State Apiarist
EAS Certified Master Beekeeper
Certified Maryland Honey Judge
Maryland Department of Agriculture
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
cybil.preston@maryland.gov
(410) 841-5920(O)
(410) 562-3464 (M)
Website 

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