VOL. 33 NO.

2 MARCH 2014
 Early
E arly Queen Arrivals
Providing queens to beekeepers since 2001

Queens from Australia, California and Chile

sPLANNOWFOR
sORDEREARLYTOENSUREYOURREQUESTS
sQUALITYSERVICEANDREASONABLEPRICING
FOREARLYSEASONSPLITSRE QUEENINGOR
POLLINATIONNEEDS
sSHIPPINGFROM4ORONTO
BYAIR!IR#ANADA TOMAJOR#ANADIANCENTRES
BYCOURIER0RIORITY0OST TO/NTARIODESTINATIONS
Contact Peter Mewett | Phone: 613
613.395.3225
395 3225 | Fax: 613.395.1835
613 395 1835
Email: Info@earlyqueenarrivals.com | www.earlyqueenarrivals.com
 THE
Vol. 33 No. 2
March 2014
Publication Agreement

Journal
#0041485022

Published bi-monthly by: ONTARIO BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION

8560 Tremaine Rd. Box 476, Milton, Ontario L9T 4Z1
Phone: 905-636-0661 Email: info@ontariobee.com Fax: 905-636-0662 Website: www.ontariobee.com

The Ontario Bee Journal is published bi-monthly in January, BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2013-14
March, May, July, September and November.
The deadline for articles and ads is the first Friday of the month
Dan Davidson President Tom Congdon
preceding publication. 8664 Churchill Line 238 Country Rd 14,
Advertising Rates for 2014 Watford, On N0M 2S0 Cottam, ON N0R 1B0
519-849-5959 Home 519-839-4989
Size 1X 6X Colour
sddavidson@brktel.on.ca sunphuny@aol.com
Full Page $300.00 $1,350.00 +20%
Page $175.00 $787.50 +20% Tibor Szabo 1st Vice President Albert Devries
Page $100.00 $450.00 +20% 4722 Nassagaweya Pushlinch 44648 Ferguson Line, RR8
1/8 Page $60.00 $270.00 +20% Townline St. Thomas, On N5P 3T3
Classified Ads - .30 cents/word with a $14.00 minimum Moffat, On L0P 1J0 519-868-9429
519-836-5617 devriesfour@gmail.com
Contact: Maureen VanderMarel, OBA Business Admin
Szaboqueens@gmail.com
(905) 636-0661 email: info@ontariobee.com Dennis Edell
Jim Coneybeare-2nd Vice President 46 Humberview Rd.,
OBA Membership Rates -2014 215 Forfar Street Toronto, On M6S 1W6
Young/New Beekeeper - (under age 30) or less than three years Fergus, On N1M 1B4 dennisnedell@gmail.com
experience - $40.00 plus hst 519-843-7328 Home
Includes electronic version of Ontario Bee Journal ConeybeareHoneyJ@aol.com Andre Flys
70 Jessop Ave.,
Small-scale Beekeeper - fewer than 50 active colonies Brian Rowaan CHC Delegate Schomberg, ON
- $85.00 plus hst 962 Line 8, R.R. # 4 L0G 1T0
Includes printed and mailed version of Ontario Bee Journal Niagara on the Lake, On L0S 1J0 andre@pioneerbrand.ca
905-262-1864 Home
briananderinrowaan@yahoo.ca Tim Greer-Past President
Commercial Beekeeper - 50 or more active colonies - $85.00
16 Redwood Avenue
plus $1.00 per hive to a maximum of $700.00 plus hst
Julie White Treasurer St. Catharines, On L2M 3B2
Includes printed and mailed version of Ontario Bee Journal 85 Winchester Street, 905-934-5904
Toronto, On M4X 1B1 lilleybee@gmail.com
*Each paid up member in good standing shall have one vote on 416-963-5942
matters submitted for vote at Annual General Meeting. julie_white@rogers.com Bernie Wiehle
*Membership term runs from January 01 to December 31 each year. 21362 Talbot Rd. RR2,
Guy Anderson Rodney, On N0L 2C0
482 Kincardine Ave., 519-614-3686
Kincardine, ON N2Z 2W3 berniewiehle@gmail.com
519-396-3529
lazyj@bmts.com Jim Wilson
CONTENTS 616 Brant Waterloo Rd., RR3,
Steven Bryans Ayr, On N0B 1E0
OBBA / TTP Meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 8104 Lisgar Street jwfalcons@gmail.com
Alvinston, On
Nosema ceranae in Ontario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 N0N 1A0
519-847-5333
Stussy81@hotmail.com
OBA Spring Meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Feeding Spring Bees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
News Around the Globe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Cover Photo: Yummy Honey! by Sarah Editor:
Dykeman was First Place in the 2013 Andi McKillop
Photo Contest - Bee Products Category andi@amtelecom.net

THE OPINIONS IN THE ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN THE ONTARIO BEE JOURNAL ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS AND NOT NECESSARILY THE ONTARIO BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION. FURTHER WE
DO NOT ENDORSE ANY OF THE PRODUCTS, GOODS OR SERVICES MENTIONED IN THIS PUBLICATION UNLESS SPECIFICALLY STATED. ARTICLES MAY BE EDITED FOR PRINTING PURPOSES.
 Editors Report

Opinions
Welcome
Andi McKillop, Editor

By the time you receive this issue of the OBJ, hopefully you will already have received notice of
the survey that OBA sent out in February and will have taken the time (approx. 15 minutes) to
complete it online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/oba.
The goal of the survey is to ask for your opinion and experience on important issues facing
beekeeping and to gain feedback on how the OBA can best serve the needs of its members and
the industry. In addition to answering a few questions about you and your beekeeping business,
you are asked about your concerns as they relate to bees and beekeeping. Questions are
designed to determine what you rank as the most important of OBAs major roles, specifically
as they relate to advocacy, communications, honey promotion and training / information sharing.
From an editorial perspective, it is the responses to the communications portion of the survey
that will be of most interest to me.
When you complete the survey, there are questions specifically about the magazine and the
type of content that you find most interesting / useful. For example, how important is the report
From the Province to you as a beekeeper? It has now been six months since OMAF/RA has
submitted a report for the OBJ. Do beekeepers miss the provincial report and should OMAF/RA
be making more or less of an effort to include a submission for each issue? Similarly, News From
Andi McKillop Around the Globe is not included in every issue (and may even have been missed from the
survey) is this something that beekeepers would like to see more or less of?
Additional methods of communication are now being used by OBA and it would be interesting
to know which, if any, you follow in addition to (or in lieu of) the magazine. What type of
information do you want communicated? Are there subjects that the OBJ could cover for future
stories?
If you haven't yet completed the survey, I hope that you will take a few moments to do so. As
you will note if you read the December 16, 2013 Board Meeting Highlights on page 5,
Membership, Communications and the Ontario Bee Journal all now fall under the work of one
committee. In March, we will be meeting to discuss the survey responses and how to implement
the comments and feedback that is received.
M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal

I have appreciated the unofficial and mostly positive comments that I have received about
the magazine. I look forward to the official (and perhaps less biased) survey results as these
will better enable me to provide a magazine worthy of your time and interest.

2
 Presidents Report

Accountability
Dan Davidson, OBA President

I hope through this winter that everyone has found

a way to keep warm. It has been some time since
there has been talk about our Great Lakes freezing
over. I believe at the last I heard, they were around
80 percent frozen.

Last year the board passed a motion to go through the process of an audit. The reason for this
audit is to find any inefficiency that there may be. It is also to show our growing membership
that we are trying to get the most out of everyone's membership dollars. We hope that it will be
appreciated by our funding partners as well. This audit was completed in January and we are
now waiting for the final report.

The OBA has tried to engage as many people in politics as possible early this winter. Local
MP's, MPP's and county councils have been visited by OBA members. There is a lot of
information going around about the persistent systemic insecticides that are NNI. We have been
doing our best to educate as many people that we can about what beekeepers are experiencing.

There has been a persistent push from some of the western provinces to access package bees
from the US. Our position in Ontario has been to keep the border closed. Health Canada has
decided that the risk to import package bees from mainland USA is too great. This is welcome
news from Health Canada.
Cedarwood Honey
I would like to report at this time that I have done checks on a number of hives and that everything
looks great with how the bees are getting through the winter. It has been difficult to do any of
these mid-winter checks with the cold weather we have had so far. One thing is for sure it is M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal
better to have the cold early in the winter rather than later.

For more frequent / regular updates on topics of interest to beekeepers (e.g. Bee Health Working Group),
dont forget to register for the weekly OBA eNewsletter. To register, go to www.ontariobee.com.

3
 OBA Administration Report

Service and Support

By Maureen VanderMarel
Maureen VanderMarel

The 2014 Farmers Almanac forecasted winter 2014 as being severe and long. Working
through a power outage for five days at Christmas due to ice storms, expanding our vocabulary
to include the term polar vortex and becoming totally reliant on the snow blower to get out
the driveway have made this year a memorable winter. We keep reminding ourselves that this
is the way winter used to be. Maybe we have just chosen to forget and become soft.

OBA Admin have been in touch with many OBA members this winter as you renew
membership, update liability insurance information on file, review your source directory website
listing, or explore promotion/marketing materials as you plan for the upcoming beekeeping
season. OBA admin welcome your phone calls and emails working vigorously to service your
needs as a priority.

OBA Administrative Assistant, Sylvie Sharpe has provided support for the last year becoming
a valuable asset to servicing our members. No doubt, many of you have spoken to Sylvie as
she manages the OBA member profile online and is very detail oriented that all information is
accurate.

The value of honeybees is receiving lots of support and awareness through community interest
groups. OBA Administration attempts to facilitate event support, relying on the local beekeeping
associations to assist. These groups are the front line of support within their community/region.

Please let us know about upcoming events and we will assist to coordinate promotional
brochures, displays, honeybee health advocacy materials.

As Canada Post increases postal rates the end of March 2014, OBA will be sending more
receipts by email for OBA membership registration, OBA meeting registration and promotion
sales. This is an attempt to reduce our postal costs and become more efficient within our
operational budget.
M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal

Please provide feedback to us if this does not work in your favour and we will provide
alternative.

We welcome March with longer light hours, hopes of gentler weather

and the return of activity in the bee yard.
Happy Spring...comes none too soon.

4
 December 16, 2013 OBA Board
Meeting Highlights
Dan Davidson extended welcome to all new OBA Board members and requested everyone
introduce themselves and provides brief backgrounder. 2014 OBA Committee Chairs
Actions from November 21, 2013 Annual General Meeting. Resolutions were discussed
Suggestion by Dennis Edell to put
and actions defined .
the Ontario Bee Journal under the
2014 OBA Treasurer, Julie White reported on the audit taking place January 8-10, 2014. Communications Committee-
Audit will provide insight for best accounting practices and association efficiencies. adopted.
OBA Business Administrator, Maureen VanderMarel provided administrative report Research Advisory
preparation for audit. Dan Davidson, Paul Kozak,
Video fulfillment items are being shipped and donors contacted. Les Eccles, Tim Greer
2014 Spring Meeting, Steve Bryans Chair, taking place in London, On March 28 &29, Board Governance
2014. Bernie Wiehle
Guest speakers to be confirmed. Munro Honey, Alvinston has agreed to host the honey Issues Management/
house tour on Saturday morning to coincide with the celebration of 100 years in the apiary External Relations
industry in Ontario. Chair: Tibor Szabo, Dennis Edell,
CHC delegate, Brian Rowaan provided an update. Brian will attend the CHC AGM Julie White, Jim Coneybeare,
Edmonton, January 27-31, 2014. Discussion ensued to expected outcomes from CHC Tom Congdon, Jim Wilson,
committee work and initiatives. Tibor Szabo continues to represent OBA on the CHC Bernie Wiehle
Pesticide Review Committee.
Membership/Communications/
Paul Kozak, Provincial Apiarist spoke about funding opportunities through the Growing Ontario Bee Journal
Forward II program. Paul is seeking designated OBA members to initiate funding projects Chair: Julie White, Andre Flys
ideas.
Honey /Queen Stock Promotion-
OMAF recognises that not all commercial beekeepers are members of OBA and encourages
Chair, Dennis Edell, Albert Devries
engagement of those persons to join.
Apiary program in Ontario requires review. Input from OBA required and invited.
Apiary program will continue to do sampling for acute pesticide kills for a third year.
Discussion ensued about a possible survey of pesticide residues in the affected colonies.
OBA Technology Transfer Program, Lead Specialist, Les Eccles provided report on research
projects in progress. Les provided an update on TTP contractor scheduled absences
through the winter season.
Issues Management/External Relations Committee Chair, Tibor Szabo provided an update
on OMAF honeybee health working group committee. Dennis Edell provided update on M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal
levels of government that have been communicated to.

5
 Letter to the Editor

Jan. 22, 2014.

y
Dear Editor. not to renew m
th e de ci sio n of whether or m essaging that
th e pa st fe w weeks over fo r m y m isg ivings is the
ggling in reason fect on
I have been stru sociation. The ids and their ef
O nt ar io Beekeepers As s po sit io n on neonicitino is
membership to
th e
e beekeeping co
mmun ity plete ban th on
t re ga rd in g th di sc us s an yt hing but a com w ith this
ou willing to
has been going be in g that we arent d m os t of the farming
groups
em es sa ge ively al ie na te
Honey Bees. Th we have effect
clas s of inse cticides. I think
particular RA and PMRA. time has
mention OMAF , I feel that the
position, not to of insectic id es , ho w ev er
n with the
no t pr o in di scriminate use ve a m ea ni ng ful conversatio
rong, I am to ha ercial
Dont get me w ck to the table in. As a comm
ns th at may bring us ba at w e find ourselves
come to discus
s op tio environm en t th , but I al need
so
po sit iv e change on the e he al th of my livestock al
people who ca
n ef fe ct ned abou t th puts commerci
ov in ce of O nt ario I am concer in k th at th e O BAs messaging ag e of
e pr ns. I th althy im
beekeeper in th bee yard locatio e good and he
er at io n of la nd owners for as w ell as po ss ibly tainting th
the coop e yard locations
risk of losing be
beekeepers at the
placement for
honey. ics un til th er e is a suitable re at do nt
on neon d fields th
n t be lie ve w e will see a ban is be tt er op tio ns for crops an th es e
Realistically I do hope for e use of
on . Th e be st that we can gi es th at fo cu s on reducing th as
us ed strate e pric e
crops that it is . practical IPM red at the sam
th e us e of th ese products. i.e un tr ea te d se ed is being offe n t use the
require ire d. Currently lo wer if they do
lu te ly re qu yi el d w ill be
ss abso their
chemicals unle e message that ould select.
an d fa rm er s are getting th w hich option I w
treated seed e grain fa rm er, I kn ow
tiate
I was an averag be able to nego
treated seed. If pu bl ic at te nt ion, we need to reco gn ize
lem to GFO to
e O BA fo r br inging this prob g. W e ne ed th e OFA and the . If the
d th or nothin ese grou ps
While I applau d ta ke rather than all fu l dialogue with th
an ni ng
from a position
of gi ve gage in m ea ps we w t on
la te s to th ei r practices and en ra di ca l en vi ronmental grou
it re dw ith
our problems as o closely aligne
be ek ee pi ng community is to
commerci al
organization. in the
ly as a farming y membership
be taken serious a vo ic e, I ha ve renewed m
rs need
ario Beekeepe
M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal

ca us e it is m y belief that Ont d ot hers as well.

Be pr es ent me an
vo ic e w ill re
hope that OBA
s
Sincere Regard

John Van Alten

6
 Letter to the Editor

eepers
To Ontario Beek ew
e a r e in t r o ducing the n
W
BOX
ONTARIO NUC
e (corrugated
e of 3 m m polypropylen
FEATURES - nuc bo x m ad n also be used
d strong four frame ey ar d. This box ca
Box is a light w eigh t an n left in th e be mature hives
The Ontario Nuc ra ps ) th at is ra in resistant whe ss ib le to w in te r nucs on top of
to our winter w hing. It may be
po
plastic similar e sp lits, and swarm catc
by beekeepers
to m ak confine
m e an d go , or taped closed to
co
in these boxes. low the bees to
en tra nc e ca n be cut open to al
er front anulated sugar.
A perforated low tio n. tties , fondant, or gr
r tra ns po rta t po lle n pa
the bees fo the frames to pu portation
te rs of an inch space above ca n be cu t open for trans
There is a three
qu ar the box th at o full end
le s at the front and back of ta pe d or glue d between the tw
ho n be
rated ventilation ot included) ca
There are perfo n no t ne ed ed . Bug screen (n
whe
and taped closed
x. the box.
pieces of th e bo
d on th e top or sides of nal tool in
ila tio n ho le s can be in st alle
n m ak e a va luable educatio
nt ca
Alternatively, ve frames this box beekeeping.
pi ct ur es at ta ched to the four ho ol to te ac h about bees and
s hive ith children to sc x program.
With Paul Kelly gr oups, or sent w ro ugh the blue bo
ho us e, w ith recy cl ed th
the honey astic, so it can
be
m website.
dl y m ad e in Ontario of #5 pl ai la bl e on th e ontariobee.co
This box is prou rder forms are
av
ram.
av ai la bl e sp ring and fall. O ted to th e Te ch Transfer Prog
xe s w ill be ill be do na
These bo ofit which w
clude a small pr ch include
The price will in e de si gn of th is nuc box, whi
ed in th
ekeepers involv
Thanks to the be
Jim Coneybeare
Les Eccles
Paul Kelly Diane Krout M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal
fta w i Ke lly Ro ge rs
Mahmoud Elze Alison Van Alte
n
Ph il La fla m m e

Jim Coneybeare
Diane Krout 519-546-2829
yj@aol.com
905-877-7722 coneybearehone
ail.com
kroutddd@hotm

7
 How Agricorps programs
help honey producers

Beekeeping can be a challenging industry. When faced with available government funding, you may receive additional
threats to their business, honey producers can look to Agricorp government contributions later in the program year, based on
programs to help manage risk. your initial deposit (after all participating producers deposits
have been made).
We encourage honey producers to take a look at what
Agricorp can offer them, as there is a lot of value and peace- To be eligible, honey producers must have at least $5,000 in
of-mind associated with our risk management programs, said allowable net sales, and also participate in AgriStability.
Rebecca Metzger, Senior Industry Specialist with Agricorp. Eligible producers will receive a participation package from
Agricorp in the mail in September.
Production Insurance, the Risk Management Program (RMP)
and AgriStability are three key programs that offer many
benefits to eligible honey producers.
AgriStability protecting farm income
AgriStability protects you from severe declines in farming
Production Insurance protecting yields income caused by any combination of production loss,
increased costs or market conditions. Producers enrolled in
Production Insurance protects producers from yield reductions
the program pay an annual fee and receive a payment when
and crop losses caused by factors beyond their control; things
their margin falls below 70 percent of their historical reference
like excessive rain, cool wet weather and drought.
margin. Payments are cost shared by the federal and
When you enroll in the Production Insurance plan for honey, provincial governments on a 60:40 basis.
you are guaranteed a level of production based on your yield
The deadline to enrol and pay the fee for AgriStability is April
history and the level of coverage you choose. If an insured
30.
peril causes your actual yield or extracted honey to be below
your guaranteed production, a production claim may be paid
on the difference.
For more information
The deadline to enrol in the Production Insurance plan for
For more information on how Agricorps programs can protect
honey is May 1. For information on premium rates, visit
your business, visit agricorp.com or call
agricorp.com.
1-888-247-4999 to speak to a customer care representative.
M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal

RMP: self-directed risk management for edible horticulture

protecting value About Agricorp

RMP helps producers manage risks beyond their control, like As an agency of the Government of Ontario, Agricorp works
fluctuating costs and market prices. with government and industry partners to contribute to a vibrant
and sustainable agricultural industry. Agricorp delivers risk
You deposit funds into a self-directed risk management
management programs to help producers across all sectors
(SDRM) account with Agricorp, and the government will
manage all kinds of risk including financial, environmental
contribute to that account. You can make one deposit per
and market security.
program year, and withdraw the funds from your account at
any time to cover any loss or expense. Depending on the

8
 Tips, Tricks and Tools
By Allan Sinton

A friend and experienced bee keeper, Richard Toth, gave me this idea and I want to pass it on.
The piece in the picture is readily available at the local hardware store. Its original purpose is
to facilitate the connection of a dishwasher drain to a regular two inch ABS pipe drain.
Allan Sinton
As a bee entrance for the top box it provides a sheltered landing board and
is easy to place and remove by drilling an 11/16" hole. It also allows
for any type of winter cover. The top entrance allows the bees to exit and
relieve themselves as well as move out dead bees on a warm winter day
when the lower entrance is snow covered

Allan Sinton

M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal

9
 Current* Exports for Top 10 Countries that Canada Exported Honey to in 2012
Canadian Domestic Exports of Honey - Canadian Dollars
2010 2011 2012 2013 -Dec.*
United States $ 41,136,613.00 $ 27,605,258.00 $ 61,870,179.00 $ 45,453,753.00
Japan $ 9,848,183.00 $ 7,860,065.00 $ 8,770,713.00 $ 11,872,813.00
China $ 917,367.00 $ 972,818.00 $ 1,066,514.00 $ 1,187,978.00
France $ 267,623.00 $ 262,207.00 $ 378,731.00 $ 232,597.00
Belgium $ 89,840.00 $ $ 207,744.00 $ 107,409.00
Hong Kong $ 215,348.00 $ 367,799.00 $ 331,691.00 $ 140,970.00
South Korea $ 10,389.00 $ 18,777.00 $ 207,015.00 $ 4,800.00
Sweden $ 37,026.00 $ $ 130,925.00 $
Australia $ 223,391.00 $ 154,119.00 $ 79,669.00 $
Barbados $ 134,755.00 $ 68,759.00 $ 70,408.00 $ 24,002.00
Source: Statistics Canada, CATSNET Analytics
* Most current data available at the time of print.

Current* Exports for Top 10 Countries that Canada Exported Honey to in 2012
Canadian Domestic Exports of Honey - Quantity (kg)
2010 2011 2012 2013 -Nov.*
United States 11,053,443 7,148,189 15,817,542 9,385,467
Japan 2,440,219 1,690,307 1,896,912 198,687
China 173,227 191,261 203,363 198,687
France 59,368 56,869 69,332 36,981
Belgium 20,852 62,294 20,249
Hong Kong 23,274 45,694 47,360 22,320
South Korea 2,817 4,388 37,100 726
Sweden 6,732 20,980
Australia 56,540 38,594 20,650
Barbados 21,687 12,470 12,084 3,510
Source: Statistics Canada, CATSNET Analytics
M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal

* Most current data available at the time of print.

How often do you visit the OBA website?

Did you know there are now two sites? One for beekeepers and another
All About Honey with facts about honey, where to find local honey and
how to cook with honey. A number of recipes are posted on this site and
you can refer your customers to this webpage if they are looking for
cooking ideas. Check out the recipe for flax bread, featured on page 11
and so much more by going to
http://www.ontariohoney.ca

10
11
M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal
 M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal

12
 OBBA/TTP BEE BREEDING MEETING
February 2014
By Kelly Rogers

In early February, the Ontario Bee Breeders Association and Tech Transfer Team held their
annual planning meeting in Guelph. The vibrant Ontario nuc and queen industry was reflected
in the increased number of OBBA members who attended this year.

Diane Krout presented the third prototype of the new Ontario Nuc Box, which resulted in a lively
discussion from beekeepers about the best location and size of ventilation holes for the final
prototype. The order deadline was February 20, 2014 in order to ensure delivery for the
upcoming season; another order date will be arranged for a pickup in the fall. Many thanks
to Diane, Mamhoud Elzeftawi and the Wellington Beekeepers Association for this initiative. All
profits will be donated to the Tech Transfer Program for further research.

Mel Kempers presented the new branding for the Ontario Resistant Honey Bee Selection
(ORHBS) program. The logo will be available for use for those who have been involved in the
breeding program for a certain length of time, still to be determined. Similar
to the VQA branding of Ontario wines, it will communicate to beekeepers
that they are buying good quality stock. The new formalized ORHBS Andi McKillop

breeding program has also been finalized. It is a simple Multiple Selection

method that will give breeders a common analytical program that could
be tailored for the different selection goals of each breeder. The program
could also potentially be used between breeders to compare and
exchange bees with desired traits. There will be a future workshop to Andi McKillop
learn about the ORHBS program procedures for all interested breeders.
Stay tuned for updates.

Les Eccles discussed testing criteria for breeders for the upcoming season. Along with the
usual tests for hygienic behaviour, nosema levels, and hive health screening, The Tech Team
will incorporate spring and fall Varroa mite sampling to quantify the Varroa mite population
growth rate. Research from Professor Ernesto Guzman has determined a strong correlation
between mite population growth rate and honey bee grooming behaviour. Andi McKillop

There is a continued very strong market for Ontario queens and nucs. Prince Edward Island

M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal

is in its second year of a subsidy program to import proven Honey Bee Tracheal Mite (HBTM)
resistant stock (Tracheal mites were identified on the island for the first time last summer.) In
New Brunswick, the acreage of blueberries and the corresponding need for honeybees for
pollination continues to expand. Western Canada always would like more spring bees,
although their preference is for packages. The local Ontario market for bees from new
beekeepers is also strong. Nuc producers reported their order sheets were filling up quickly
and anticipate another strong year for sales. A few had been out poking around the entrances
to make sure they didnt overbook. In general, the feeling is that the good snow cover and
consistent temperatures this year (albeit maybe a tad too cold!) bodes well for good
overwintering success, as long as colonies went into the winter with ample stores. The spring
shall tell.

13

A two year study of Nosema
ceranae in Ontario
By Brian Lacey, TTP
This year marks a rather unfortunate anniversary in the history
of Canadian beekeeping; it was exactly 100 years ago that
nosema was first discovered in Canadian honey bees.
Shortly before this discovery, Nosema apis had been identified
as the causative agent of nosema disease, or nosemosis, in
Apis mellifera. For the next 80 years it remained the sole cause
of nosemosis in honey bees, until a crucial event in the early
1990s changed the nature of nosema disease worldwide.
DNA evidence has confirmed that sometime in the early 90s
Nosema ceranae, a relative of N. Apis, jumped the species
barrier from its original host Apis
ceranae, the Asian honeybee, and
successfully began to infect Apis
mellifera, the western honeybee. The
existence of Nosema ceranae in the
western honeybee went unnoticed until
2005, by which time it had spread to
western honeybees all over the world
and in most places was replacing N.
apis as the primary cause of
nosemosis.
Uncertainty surrounding the potential
impact of this novel parasite, combined
with its rapid spread around the globe,
has caused alarm among beekeepers
and led to a flurry of research. In the
M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal
race to understand how N. ceranae is
going to impact the global beekeeping industry, many
contradictory pictures of N. ceranae have emerged with
differences seeming to be determined primarily by region. The
observed regional differences could be due to differing
climates, different strains of the pathogen or host, or to some
other still undiscovered factor. Whatever the case, it has
become evident that to understand the impact N. ceranae is
having on honeybees in Ontario it must be studied here in
Ontario.
14
Orchard Park Office Centre, 5420
TTP Highway 6 North, Suite B47, Guelph,
Ontario, Canada, N1H 6J2
In the spring of 2012 the Tech Transfer Program, in
collaboration with Dr. Ernesto Guzman, initiated a study to
assess the state of nosema in Ontario. Our project was
designed to answer several questions:
1. How prevalent is Nosema ceranae in Ontario?
2. What seasonal patterns of infection does N. ceranae
display?
3. How virulent, or damaging to colony health, is N. ceranae?
From the spring of 2012 until the fall of 2013 the TTP tracked
233 colonies belonging to eight different
commercial beekeepers from Southern
Ontario. Roughly 80 percent of the studied
colonies were sent to Eastern Canada to
pollinate blueberries and the rest remained in
Southern Ontario for the duration of the study.
Each colony was assessed in the spring,
summer, and fall in the following manner:
A frame by frame visual estimate of bees,
brood, stored pollen and stored honey
was recorded
Colonies were weighed, including any
honey supers
Samples of nurse bees were taken to
TTP determine Varroa levels
Samples of forager bees were taken to
determine Nosema levels
TTP
A two year study of Nosema ceranae in Ontario continued...

PREVALENCE dropped dramatically by the fall (Figure 2). It should also be

noted that peak infection rates were three-times higher in 2013
Though Nosema ceranae can now be found all over the world,
than in 2012, possibly due to different weather patterns
the rate at which it infects colonies, and how it compares to N.
between the two years. Though the signs might not be as
apis, varies by region. In most parts of the world N. ceranae
obvious, beekeepers can experience good and bad years for
is aggressively replacing N. apis. The exceptions to N.
nosema just as they do for varroa.
ceranaes dominance come in colder climates such as ours;
recent studies in Britain and Germany found N. apis is still the Figure 2. Average nosema spore counts by season.
more prevalent of the two species. To determine if Nosema
ceranae is present in Ontario and, if so, how it compares to N. 200000
apis, Dr. Guzman performed a genetic analysis of the Nosema 180000
samples collected in the spring of 2012. The results show an 160000
overwhelming dominance of N. ceranae (Figure 1). More than
140000

Spores/Bee
84 percent of all colonies surveyed had a Nosema ceranae
120000
infection, while only seven percent were infected by Nosema
100000
apis. The implication, that nosemosis in Ontario is caused
primarily by N. ceranae, stresses the need to study this novel 80000

species so that we can learn to minimize its impact. 60000

40000
Figure 1. Prevalence of different nosema species in Ontario in 2012
20000
Sp12 Su12 Fa12 Sp13 Su13
90
79.3 Season/Year
80
70
60
In addition to performing spore counts, Dr. Guzman also tested
Frequency (%)

50 spore viability in different seasons, which presents a more

40 nuanced picture of N. ceranae seasonality (Figure 3). Though
30 spore counts are roughly equivalent in the spring and summer,
20 13.8 the percentage of those spores that are able to spread the
10 4.8
2.1 infection drops from approximately 55 percent in the spring to
0
N. ceranae N. apis Mixed infections Negative 12 percent in the summer. So the most active period of
Nosema infection infection seems to occur in the spring, which would make the
early spring the ideal time to treat for Nosema ceranae.
SEASONALITY
The seasonal patterns of infection of Nosema apis are well Figure 3. Viability of nosema spores by season.
documented and are fairly consistent in temperate climates. 70
Infection rates increase slowly over the winter as hive-bound
bees defecate in the hive, thereby spreading the spores. The 60

peak comes in spring and then begins to decline as the old 50

winter-reared bees die and are replaced by young, healthy
Percent viability

40
bees. Over the summer N. apis is hardly detectable, but it often
produces a small, secondary peak in the fall. Because the 30 M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal
infection spreads in the late winter, the best time to treat for N.
20
apis is in the fall to ensure that levels are low going into the
winter. 10

The seasonal infection pattern for N. ceranae differs from that 0

Sp12 Su12 Fa12 Sp13
of N. apis in a way that has significant implications for
Season/Year
treatment. Several studies have found that in temperate
climates N. ceranae infections display a single peak in late VIRULENCE
spring to early summer, and then steadily decline for the rest
The virulence or damage to colony health caused by N.
of the year. Our results were consistent with previous findings.
ceranae is still a matter of debate. Several studies from Spain
Nosema levels were highest in the spring and summer and
have associated N. ceranae infection with colony collapse.

15
 A two year study of Nosema ceranae in Ontario continued...

Studies from the U.S., Canada, Germany and Uruguay have
failed to find a link between N. ceranae and colony mortality,
but noted a loss of spring build up and a decrease in honey
production in heavily infected colonies. Our results agree with
those from other temperate climates we did not find a
relationship between Nosema infection and winter mortality
(Figure 4). At peak infection in the summer, colonies that
subsequently died over the winter had virtually identical levels
of nosema as colonies that survived. Though colonies that
later died had slightly higher levels in the fall, the difference
was not statistically significant.
Figure 4. Comparison of nosema levels in the spring, summer, and
fall of 2012 for colonies that survived the following winter vs.
colonies that did not. .
1,600,000
1,400,000 live
dead
Based on the seasonal patterns of Nosema ceranae infection,
we might expect it to take its greatest toll on the colony during
its peak in the spring/summer. As previously mentioned many
studies have indeed found a correlation between high N.
ceranae infection and slow spring build up and reduced honey
production. Again, our results agree with those of other studies
in temperate climates and we did see a significant reduction in
the amount of bees, brood and honey produced in highly
infected colonies (Figure 6).
Figure 6. Differences in hive productivity for different levels of
nosema infection
Low infection < 500,000 spores/bee
500,000 spores/bee < Medium infection < 1,000,000 spores/bee
1,000,000 spores/bee < High infection.
12
Low
10
Medium

Number of frames / hive

1,200,000 8 High
Nosema (spores/bee)

1,000,000
6
800,000
4
600,000

400,000 2

200,000 0
Bees Brood Pollen Honey
0
spring* summer fall In order to get a sense of how the observed loss of productivity
For comparisons sake we can look at the same mortality data translates to a financial loss for the beekeeper, Dr Guzman
for the winter of 2012 / 2013 relative to varroa levels and a produced estimates of the values of frames of bees, brood,
completely different picture emerges. The two groups started and honey, and used them to estimate how much a high
with similar levels in the spring, but by the summer the group infection rate costs the beekeeper compared to a low infection
that later died had more than triple the varroa levels of the rate. The results, displayed in the following chart, show a loss
colonies that survived. By the fall of 2012, the colonies which of almost $70 PER COLONY!
died in the winter of 2012 / 2013 had an average varroa
Frames of Frames of Frames of
infestation of 11.8 mites/100 bees, while colonies that
Bees Brood Honey
survived had only 1.7 mites/100 bees. Clearly there is a strong
relationship between varroa levels and winter mortality. Low Nosema (less than
500,000 spores/bee) 10.11 4.38 7.84
Figure 5. A comparison of Varroa levels in the spring, summer, and High Nosema (more than
fall of 2012 for colonies that survived the following winter vs.
1,000,000 spores/bee) 8.13 3.16 4.84
colonies that did not.
M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal

Difference in frames
14
(Low High) 1.98 1.22 3.00
12 live
Value/frame $ 12.00 $ 18.00 $ 8.00
dead
10 Lost value (Difference
Varroa mites/100 bees

8 x Value/frame) $ 23.72 $ 21.95 $ 23.97

Total Lost Value $ 69.65
6

4
Summary of Findings for Nosema ceranae
by far the more prevalent species in Ontario
2 spore counts peak in late spring/early summer, but it is
0
most infective in the spring
spring* summer fall* NOT associated with winter mortality
associated with a significant reduction in build up and
honey production
16
17
M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal

Guest Speaker
Peter Dillon Biography
Apicultural Unit Manager,
Jasper Wyman and Son, Canada Inc.
M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal
OBA SPRING MEETING 2014
Friday, March 28 & Saturday, March 29, 2014
Best Western Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre
6675 Burtwistle Lane, London, ON N6L 1H5
Wymans are a major grower, processor of Low bush
(wild) blueberries, based in Maine, USA. Canadian
operation is based in Morell, PEI.
Peter manages 1,300 honey bee colonies owned by
Wymans Canada which are used exclusively for
blueberry pollination.
Peter also co-ordinates the companys pollination
requirements in New Brunswick with hives sourced
in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec.
Peter reflects that his apicultural career started
with one swarm purchased for a nominal penny in
the UK. Since then his main occupation at the time
was that of a teacher of Chemistry/ Biology, Peter
remained at a level of three colonies until 1980.
That year, his wife and he moved to France where
they set up a honey producing business. Whilst in
France, Peter became active with the French
Professional Honey Producer Union eventually
taking a place on the national committee.
This level of activity resulted in Peter being brought
into contact with the Canadian Honey Council
18
through which he was invited to present at the CHC
meeting in Moncton, NB in 2001. Interest grew in
Canadian beekeeping, and eventually Peter moved
to Manitoba in 2003 after working with beekeepers
in both Nova Scotia and Quebec.
In Manitoba, Peter continued running honey bees
for honey production with 500+ hives.
In 2008, while on vacation in Nova Scotia, Peter was
contacted and hired by Wymans to establish their
pollination unit on PEI. Since then, he has been
party to re-establishing the PEIBKA holding the
position of president for several terms.
Also, through Wymans, have help set up and become
associated with several research projects
investigating the role of Honey bees and natural
pollinators in the production of low bush
blueberries.
Presently working to apply new field development
techniques allied to the creation of refuges and the
protection of pollinators.
 2014 Spring Meeting - Agenda
Best Western Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre, London, ON

Friday, March 28, 2014 Saturday, March 29, 2014

Ontario Bee Breeders Association Producers Day

8:30 am Registration 8:30 am Registration

9:00 am Welcome Dan Davidson, OBA President
9:10 am Welcome Kelly Rogers, Chair,
Ontario Bee Breeders Association
9:15 am OBA Tech Transfer Program
10:00 am Refreshment Break
10:20 am OBBA Business Session-update
10:35 am Paul Kozak, Ontario Provincial Apiarist, OMAF
11:45 am Lunch
1:15 pm OBA Tech Transfer Program
2:00 pm Peter Dillon- Wyman Canada
2:30 pm Members of OBBA presentation
3:00 pm Refreshment Break
3:15 pm OBA Tech Transfer Program
4:00 pm Adjournment
Agenda subject to change.
9:00 am Honey House Tour- Munro Honey & Meadery,
Alvinston Bryans Family Hosting
10:00 am Travel to Best Western- Stoneridge Inn &
Conference Centre, London, On
10:45 am Welcome- Dan Davidson, OBA President
10:50 am Canadian Honey Council Report- Brian Rowaan,
OBA Delegate
11:00 am Peter Dillon-Wyman Canada
11:40 am OBA Issues Management/External Relations
Committee: Tibor Szabo-update
12:00 pm Lunch
1:20 pm Paul Kozak, Ontario Provincial Apiarist, OMAF
2:15 pm Munro Honey & Meadery- Celebrating 100 years
of apiary industry in Ontario!
2:45 pm OBA Communications/Membership Committee:
Julie White- update
3:15 pm Refreshment Break
3:30 pm OBA Tech Transfer Program
4:30 pm Adjournment
Agenda subject to change.

M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal

Ontario Beekeepers Association gratefully acknowledges the financial support and guidance of
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food

The Ontario Bee Journal is always looking for interesting stories, pictures and
tips/tricks/tools from our readers. If you have ideas, articles, descriptions / pictures
of events or photos of interest to other beekeepers that you would like to share,
please contact the OBJ editor or Maureen VanderMarel at the OBA office.

19
 Spring Meeting
2014

Ontario Beekeepers Association

Meeting Location:
Best Western Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre
6675 Burtwistle Lane, London, ON N6L 1H5

Date: Friday, March 28, 2014

Highlights: Ontario Bee Breeders Meeting
Time: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Registration:
OBA Member $60.00 (includes one lunch / a.m. & p.m. refreshment break) __________
Non-member $70.00 (includes one lunch / a.m. & p.m. refreshment break) __________
Extra meal: $45.00 (includes one lunch) __________

Date: Saturday, March 29, 2014

Highlights: Producers Day
Time: 10:30 am to 4:30 pm

Registration:
OBA Member $40.00 (includes one lunch / a.m. & p.m. refreshment break) __________
Non-member $50.00 (includes one lunch / a.m. & p.m. refreshment break) __________
$35.00 (includes one lunch)
M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal

Ontario Bee Breeders Association membership -2014

(if not previously purchased with OBA 2014 membership) - Fall 2014
Registration $20.00 _________
Available for sale in 2014 Queens ( ) Queen Cells ( ) Nucs ( )
Subtotal __________

Payment by Cheque enclosed 13% HST __________

J a n u a r y 2 01 2 The Ontario Bee Journal

TOTAL
Master Card/Visa# ______________________________________ Expiry ____________
Name __________________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________ Postal Code ______________
Phone # ______________________________ E-Mail ___________________________
OBA Host Hotel: Contact:
Ontario Beekeepers Association
Best Western Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre 8560 Tremaine Road, Box 476
6675 Burtwistle Lane, London, ON N6L 1H5 Milton, Ontario L9T 4Z1
Phone # 519-652-6022 Phone: 905-636-0661
OBA event rate $89.00 plus taxes per night (two double or king) Fax: 905-636-0662
Quote: OBA event. Room block offered until March 14, 2014. www.ontariobee.com
Restaurant on site for breakfast-not included in room rate. info@ontariobee.com
20
20
 Written for Dave Gray's 80th birthday:

All hail the mighty keeper of the bees

Whose only aim with those critters is to please
And sweeten life with mounds of honey
And surely not to make mere money
All summer long he toils and strives
To get the most from all his hives
He has no fear of years or bees and their sting
But shows the queen bee that its David who is
king.

Your humble reverent assistant beekeeper

M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal

21
 Feeding Bees in Spring
By Doug McRory
Currently, I barrel feed my bees. This is simply a matter of
economics. Barrel feeding is the cheapest way to set up to
feed a lot of bees cheaply and very efficiently!
You do need to think ahead to be able to feed your bees really
early in the spring by this method. I like to leave barrels of
sugar syrup closed up in the bee yards the fall before. In
March, I open the barrel feeder that was left the fall before with
about 20 pounds of feed for each colony. I put about two
inches of straw on the top of the sugar syrup in order to prevent
the bees from drowning and place a 2 X 4piece of wood
under one edge of the barrel lid and put the other edge down
on the barrel so the rain will run off. If rain gets in and sits in
a layer of water on top of the sugar syrup, the bees will not
work this sugar syrup. A rock on the lid keeps it from blowing
off the hive and, using a stick, a little sugar syrup on the edge
of the barrel attracts the bees. If I really want to get the bees
robbing quickly I sprinkle a little bit of sugar syrup on the front
entrance of each hive. That stimulates the bees to go looking
for the sugar syrup.
Be sure that no cattle can get to the barrel, because if a cow
drinks the sugar syrup, their four part stomachs cannot handle
the concentrated sugar and they will die (cows can be
expensive).
This fresh sugar syrup in the spring acts like a honey flow and
stimulates queens to lay. The bees carry the sugar syrup back
into the colony, add an enzyme called invertase to it that
breaks the complex sugars down into the simple sugars that
are easily absorbed into the body, and the bees concentrate the
syrup down like they do the honey. They place it in empty
cells in amongst the brood and around the brood where it is
M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal
handy for the young house bees (up to seven days old) to pick
up and feed to the young developing larvae. This sugar syrup
is about 66 percent sugar (34 percent water) and is dried
down to 18 percent water, which is similar to honey, and in the
process this supplies humidity to the brood chamber that is
necessary to keep the larvae moist during their development.
Early spring may be too cool for bees to forage for water and
sugar that is required for them to make in through the rest of
winter.
Some beekeepers advocate using candy boards, but I believe
that the bees really need the extra water in the spring in order
22
Andi McKillop
to get the colony into brood rearing condition. Candy boards,
in my opinion, may get a colony that is starving through the
last part of the winter but I dont think they should be used as
the main method that you use to feed your bees. If a beekeeper
found that his bees were starving in March and could make up
candy boards and transport them, possibly with a skidoo or 4-
wheeler, to the bee yard and slip them in on top of the
broodchamber they may be able to rescue some of the starving
colonies. The other method that some beekeepers have used
in that circumstance is to open the center hole in the inner
cover and just pour granulated sugar on top of the inner cover
and let the bees work at that dry sugar; sometimes they have
been able to get such colonies through to where they can feed
them with sugar syrup as the weather warms up. Both the
candy board and sugar method will require bees to find water
to dissolve the sugar in order to transport, convert and use the
feed.
You can use individual hive top feeders, which look like a
shallow bee box with a bottom on them and an entrance up
into syrup storage for the bees to gather the sugar syrup so
that the bees can take it down into the broodchamber. The
advantage of this type of feeder is that it holds 10 pounds of
feed for every inch of feed that you put in it so you can give an
individual colony a significant volume of feed at one time. This
is very useful to get extra feed into a very light colony if you do
not have frames of feed honey to give it. I always prefer to put
frames or combs of honey in the brood chambers. (When I
refer to the terms frames or combs, they are interchangeable.)
The other advantage to the hive top feeder is that it is put right
over the broodchamber; the heat of the bees rises and warms
the sugar syrup. Because bees are immobilized at an ambient
temperature of 10 degrees C, if the sugar syrup is warm the
bees can work it faster than if it has to sit and wait until the
ambient temperature raises it above the level that the bees can
work it (such as if it is sitting in a steel barrel away from the
bee colonies).
You can also use glass jars at the entrance called a Boardman
feeder, or frame feeder that replace a full-size frame in the
colony that are known as Singleton feeders to do this same
stimulation. Singleton feeders either come open at the top with
a float to keep the bees from drowning or they have a couple
of holes in the top with an 8X8 mesh screen cylinder going
Feeding Bees in Spring continued...

down into the feeder to allow the bees to crawl down, but not
drown in the feed, to get the sugar syrup. A hobby beekeeper
with just a few hives would use one of these methods. You
need to keep refilling these small feeders in order to have any
lasting effect on gaining the numbers of adult bees. A
beekeeper with a large number of colonies in the yard, say
20+ would be more inclined to use the barrel feeder method.
Barrel feeding is a much faster way to put out the sugar syrup.
The method that I really prefer to feed bees with in the spring
is to use a sugar syrup sprayer that
fills empty honey comb with liquid
sugar syrup. You can put as much
as four pounds of sugar syrup into
one frame of drawn comb. If you
place this drawn comb right next
to the brood, the bees can access
it very easily. When I use this
method I take every comb out of
the hive that will hold any amount
of sugar syrup and does not have
any brood on it. I fill these frames
with sugar syrup and I set them back into the hive as close to
the brood as possible.
Such a sprayer is made by having a stainless steel tank that
will hold about 50-100 L into which you put two food grade
water pipes that you drill holes 5/32about 3/8 apart for the
length of the honey comb in a drawn frame. The two pipes are
facing with the drilled holes towards each other, about six
inches apart at the top of the tank. A water pump run by a gas
engine (five horsepower) is mounted at one end of the tank
and is connected to the bottom of the tank on the inlet side
and on the outlet side of the water pump; the flow is split so it
is connected to the two pipes with the holes in them. The water
pump is used to circulate the sugar syrup through the two
pipes at the top of the tank. You have to place 130 mesh,
nylon honey straining cloth inside this tank to keep the debris
that comes off of the frames from plugging up the pump and
the holes in the pipes. This nylon straining cloth is easily
washed by soaking in water and then two people can shake it
out with the side that collects extraneous material turned
downwards. I have used clothespins along the edges of the
tank to hold this straining cloth in place. The water pipes with
the holes in them have to be inside of this cloth strainer. I
mounted two sulky wheels on the sides of the tank. These
sulky wheels are stronger than bicycle wheels. The wheels
make it that sugar syrup sprayer could be moved quite easily.
We had handles on the opposite end from the wheels that
would fold down so that when we loaded the sprayer on the
truck, it would tie into a very small space and not fall over. Be
sure to tie it in place each time!
The sugar syrup has to be diluted from the normal 66 percent
heavy sugar syrup by adding a pail of water to every three
pails of heavy sugar syrup in order to get it to go through the
pump and strainer properly. It does not take very long to get a
good amount of sugar syrup right in
the beehive where it is totally
accessible to the hive even in cold
weather by this method. You will not
find these sprayers available
through the bee supply and you
would have to have a welder make
one for you.
You will find that every management
technique that we use in beekeeping
Andi McKillop has lots of variations - thank
goodness the bees dont read books
to figure out if we are using the best one or not! As a beekeeper,
you need to pick out the one that works for you and go with it.
When I have finished the manipulations that I am going to do
to any hive in the early spring, I put the packing back on the
hive because this is the time of the year when it does the most
good, until the end of April. I have stones on every colony to
keep the wind from blowing the lids off and I use these as a
visual clue for the next time that I come to the bee yard as to
where the good colonies are and where the poor ones are. The
good ones I put the stone at the back of the hive and on the
poor ones I put it at the front of the hive. A very simple visual
clue so that when I come back to that bee yard the next time I
go directly to all of the poor colonies first and work through
them and that way, I know how much help I need to find from M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal
the good colonies to help the poor hives. I go on to the next
hive and repeat the process.
One thing about beekeeping, theres lots of repetitious process
if you have any number of colonies. But every colony is
different in the spring when you open them up and it can be like
Christmas - whats in this box?

23
 News From Around
the Globe
Australian Honeybees Unable to Make Honey
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-reese-halter/australian-honeybees-
unable-to-make-honey_b_4670475.html
Australias hottest spring on record has resulted in droughts
and intense heat waves and has been disastrous for
honeybees.
As a result of Australias heat waves, honeybees are facing a
number of challenges. Plants are responding to the intense
heat by producing substantially less nectar and high
temperatures can also cause sterile pollen pollen that has no
protein in many plants. With temperatures exceeding 95
degrees F, honeycomb cells made of beeswax are also
melting. As a result, instead of searching for nectar or protein-
rich pollen, honeybees are spending a large portion of each
day searching for water to cool down their hives.
While honeybees can work in concert to protect the beehive
through an ingenious evaporative cooling system that they
have devised combining the use of water and fanning of
wings to cool the beeswax and create a constant flow of
oxygen-rich air throughout the colony this does require a
constant source of fresh water and honey or honey substitute
(e.g. corn syrup). Feeding bees is costing beekeepers millions
of dollars and there is concern that inadequate protein in the
diet will result in weak autoimmune systems, making bees
more susceptible to a wide array of diseases and lethal
insecticides.
Experts predict that Australias 2014 honey production will be
halved. China, the worlds biggest honey producer, will supply
Australia with honey. Thousands of tonnes of imported honey
M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal
will have to be tested at additional costs to Australian Customs
and Border Protection Services since China uses many banned
chemicals and faux honey syrups. India and Malaysia are also
vying to supply honey to Australia.
Single Gene Separates Queen from Workers
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140129115157.htm
A team of scientists from Michigan State and Wayne State
Universities have identified how a single gene in honey bees
separates the queens from the workers.
24
Playing a crucial role in the evolution of bees ability to carry
pollen, the gene is responsible for leg and wing development.
The gene (Ultrabithorax or Ubx.) causes workers to develop a
smooth spot on their hind legs that hosts their pollen baskets
and promotes the formation of the pollen comb and pollen
press. While workers have these distinct features, queens do
not.
Future research in this area might look at how to make bees
better pollinators; improving the pollen-collecting capacity
could be an option to address shrinking populations due to
colony collapse disorder.
Scientists Fit Honeybees with Tiny Sensors to
Study Decline of Colonies
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/15/scientists-fit-
honey-bees-with-tiny-sensors-to-study-decline-of-colonies
About 5000 Australian honeybees have been fitted with tiny
sensors to help study and understand what is causing collapse
of colonies around the world.
The CSIRO-led research will build data on several generations
of bees by placing hi-tech backpack-like sensors (2.5 mm x
2.5 mm) on bees backs and tracking their movements and
habits to shed light on the causes of colony collapse disorder.
Four hives, each with about 50 tagged bees will be studied.
Two hives will be provided a feeder with normal nectar and
pollen and two will feed on nectar and pollen containing small
amounts of pesticide, which is thought to cause colony
collapse. The scientists will then be able to study the impact
of the pesticide on the bees and observe any deviation from
their normal routines. The results could lead to government
action on certain types of pesticides. CSIRO will study other
potential causes of colony collapse, such as hive
management, after the pesticide research is complete.
Australia, so far, is free of Colony Collapse Disorder, as well as
the deadly varroa mite, which has wreaked havoc on bee
populations in almost every other country.
 Dates to
Remember
Pollination Guelph Symposium
Saturday, April 5, 2014 - 8:30am to 4:00pm

At Trinity United Church in Guelph. The cost is $40

2014 OBA Spring Meeting
Friday, March 28, 2014 - 9:00am to Saturday,
March 29, 2014 - 4:30pm
2014 OBA Spring Meeting - Mark your calendar! Best
Western Stoneridge Inn & Conferance Centre, London,
ON
Friday, March 28, 2014 - Ontario Bee Breeders
Assoc. meeting. Everyone welcome to attend!
Saturday, March 29,2014 - Producers' Day-
celebrating the apiary industry in Ontario!
Munro Honey, Alvinston, ON welcomes OBA for honey house
tour from 8:30am to 9:30am as they celebrate their 100th year
anniversary in the apiary industry. Agenda resumes at the Best
Western Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre, London, ON. until
4:30pm.
($30 students/seniors) if pre-registered to
pollinationguelph@gmail.com before March 27,
or $45 ($35 students/seniors) after March 27 or
at the door.
Photo Contest
Do you have a favorite pollinator photo from Ontario? Our
annual photo contest is now accepting submissions for a
chance to win a pollinator-friendly prize, but don't wait too long
- the deadline for submissions is March 17, 2014. See the
attached poster for more information on how to submit your top
5 photos to pollinationguelph@gmail.com. Final voting will
occur at our 2014 symposium.

Welcome New Members

The OBA extends a special welcome to our new members for 2013.
With the support and participation of members like you, the OBA is able to be a provincially and
nationally recognized leader for practical research, training and advocacy for bees and beekeeping.
Welcome to the OBA and thank you! We'll be in touch.
M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal

New Members with less than Young/new beekeeper Karen Brooks Belva North
50 hives Susan Anderson Toronto, ON North augusta, ON
Charles Gayler St. Catherines, ON Raymond Ferguson Peter Penkala
South Bruce Penninsula, ON Sandra Awang Bruce Mines, ON Toronto, ON
Tony Jackson Toronto, ON Walter Kmiecik Oliver Scherer
St. Paul's, ON Lorraine Baker Mississauga, ON Barry's Bay, ON
Guelph, ON Jean-Pierre Landry Barry Van Schagen
Matthew Brock Kitchener, ON Brampton, ON
Port Rowan, ON Glen Manjin
Harriston, ON

25
 Club Buzzins
Beekeepers Association of Regional
Niagara
Meetings are held at the Niagara
Regional Police Station Community
Room, 5 Lincoln St. Welland.
Please Contact: George Dubanow at
905-934-4913.
Brampton Beekeepers Association
Meeting held every third Tuesday of the
month @ 7:00-9:00pm - #72
Newbridge Cres., Brampton, ON
except July, August & December.
New members welcome!
President: Jessica Rhind
Visit: www.bramptonbee.ca
Central Ontario Beekeepers
Association
Spring and Fall meetings are usually the
last Friday of April and October in Trinity
United Church, Omemee. Summer
meeting mid-July with date and place to
be announced. President: Glen
McMullen, 705-652-3024,
gmcmullen@nexicom.net
Dufferin Beekeepers Association
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday
of every month at 7:30 p.m. Please
meet at the Boardroom of Holmes Agro
Ltd., 473088 County Road 11,
Orangeville. Contact President: Tom Fox,
Tomjfox1957@gmail.com (519) 833-
0714, 30 Millwood Road,Erin, N0B 1T0.
Durham Beekeepers Association
Last Monday of the Month meeting 7
times a year. New Members welcome.
For Meeting location and time please
contact: Bryan Shanks 905-852-6494.
Eastern Ontario Beekeepers
Association
Please contact: Pegi Holtz (613)821-
0364 e-mail p_holtz@xplornet.com
M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal
Golden Horseshoe Beekeepers
Association
Meeting at Marrit Hall at the Ancaster
Fairgrounds, 630 Trinity Rd., Jerseyville,
On-third Thursday of each month except
December at 7:30 pm. Please contact
Les Simonffy (905) 389 -7555 or
email: jimhenderson93@hotmail.com.
Grand River Beekeepers Association
Our group meets the 4th Wednesday of
the month. We meet at Christian
Fellowship Church, 315 Northlake Drive,
Waterloo at 7:30 p.m. in the basement.
Please contact: Ken Coyle at 519-741-
5255 or coyle@golden.net.
Please invite other beekeepers in your area to these meetings.
Grey-Bruce Beekeepers Association
Please call: Toby Bruce at (519)794-
3335 email: tobyjcbruce@gmail.com.
Haldimand Norfolk District
Beekeepers Association
President: David Bowen (519) 428-5386
Email: president@halnorbeekeepers.com
Website: www.halnorbeekeepers.com
New members invited and welcome!
Huronia Beekeepers Association
Meetings held on the second Thursday
of every month -7:30pm
Edgar Community Hall, 1167 Old Barrie
Rd., Shanty Bay, ON L0L 2L0
Contact Peter Dickey-President
(705)458-1258
Email: pdickey@rogers.com
Check our website for upcoming
events- www.huroniabeekeepers.com
Everyone welcome!
Huron-Perth Beekeepers Association
Contact: Bill Higgins (519)824-4012
email: whiggins@sympatico.ca.
Lanark County Beekeepers
Association
Contact: Liz Corbett (613)398-8422
email: ebcorbett@yahoo.ca.
Limestone Beekeepers Guild
Guild meets on the Third Thursday of
March, April, May, September, October,
and November every year. Meetings are
held at St. Patricks School in
Harrowsmith and start at 7:30 p.m.
Please contact Bill Lake at 613-353-
6768.
Middlesex, Elgin, and Oxford
Beekeepers Association:
Please contact: Bob Crowhurst,
robert.crowhurst @sympatico.ca,
519-666-1670
Muskoka - Parry Sound Beekeepers'
Assocation
Please contact Cathy Crowder at
705-644-3959 (cell) or email:
MuskokaBeeSmith@gmail.com
Quinte Beekeepers Association
Please contact: Peter Bussell at
613-395-3289 or e-mail
peterbussell@reztel.net.
26
Rainy River Beekeepers Association
Please contact: Richard Neilson at
807-487-2387 or e-mail
rneilson@tbaytel.net.
Southwestern Ontario Beekeepers
Association
Please contact: Mike Dodok at
519-351-8338 or e-mail at
mldodok@yahoo.ca
Sudbury & District Beekeepers
Association
Please contact: Wayne LeBlanc-
President (705) 692-5925
Email: wleblanc@personainternet.com
Visit: www.sudburybeekeepers.com for
upcoming events. Everyone welcome!
Thunder Bay Beekeepers Association
Contact: Chris Canlan
email: chriscanlan@me.com
Visit: www.thunderbaybeekeepers
association.ca
Toronto District Beekeepers
Association
For information about our meetings,
you can visit our website at;
www.torontobeekeepers.org.
United County Beekeepers
Association
Please contact: Pierre Houle at
613-883-6717 or e-mail
houle.pierre@yahoo.ca. Our web site is
http://ucbabee.com/
Upper Ottawa Valley Beekeepers
Association
Please contact: Murray Borer at
613-432-3432.
Urban Toronto Beekeepers' Association
Toronto, On. Contact: Tom Nolan
Telephone: 416-575-6626
Email:
urbantorontobeekeepers@gmail.com
Meetings are held the 1st Tuesday of
every month @ 7:00 pm New location:
The Earth Science Building, University of
Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Room 4001.
Wellington County Beekeepers
Association
Contact: Bill Higgins (519)824-4012
email: whiggins@sympatico.ca
Contact: Jim Coneybeare
(519) 843-7328 email:
coneybearehoneyj@aol.com

For Sale: Quality proven young queens,
nucs, hives upward towards 100 singles,
doubles with all necessary backup
equipment to run them. Turn key operation
with pollination and retail contracts. Third
generation beekeeper, member of OBA and
Ontario Bee Breeders Association for many
years in Norfolk County. Must cut back due
health conditions. Contact: Orville Zavitz
(519)443-8746 email: zavitz-
aparies@sympatico.ca
For Sale: 2014-strong, high quality four
frame nucs. Queens and queen cells
available for pick up. Contact: Todd Kalisz-
Dancing Bee Apiaries (905)753-2623
email: tak@netscape.ca
. $600 Contact: Richard Gazzola (519)
For Sale: white clover honey by the barrel.
Contact: Richard Isaac (519)638-5731
cell (519)584-5731
For Sale: Four frame nucs available in May
2014. Queen cells ready for pick-up in
June and July. Mated queens shipped
June through September. Contact:
Highlands Honey, 6-Z2 Old Kingston Rd.,
Portland, ON K0G 1V0 (613)272-2091
For Sale: Buckfast two frame & three frame
Nucs with overwintered Queens.
Contact: Reg Lumley(519)464-3326
email:rjlumley@cogeco.ca.
For Sale: strong single hives or nucs.
Contact:Andy Loewen, Box 489,Steinbach,
MB R5G 1M4 (204)346-9701 or
(204)326-1500
email:andyloewen@hotmail.ca.
For Sale: Dakota Guness Uncapper-used
$3,500, 5' conveyer $1,500, 5'conveyer
$2,000. Contact Mike Parker(905)933-
9200.
For Sale: Quality spring nucs, hives,
queens and cells. Active member of
ORHBS since 1992. Chatsworth Honey
(519)794-3335 visit
www.chatsworthhoney.com Chattyqueens
speak for themselves!.
CLASSIFIED CORNER
For Sale: 500 Hives, Nuc's, Queen's,
Queen cells!
150 Bee-escape boards
1: 300lb & 1: 500lb Maxant stainless
steel honey tanks (waterjacket) with
stands.
Eazyloader 300, spinfloat Cooks and
Beal also available
Phone Georgian Bay Honey Geoff or
Gabriela (519)372-2046
For Sale: 600 lb. stainless steel storage
honey tank, double bottom (water
reservoir), 240 volts immersion bayonet
internal type heater element with
temperature control. 22 inch dia x 34 inch
high, with stainless steel cover. Asking
824-7127 email:
Richard.gazzola@sympatico.ca.
Wanted: Large Quantities of Fresh Frozen
Pollen (Potential L/T Business Opportunity)
Biobest Canada Limited, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Biobest NV, is a global
leading authority in biological pollination
and pest control. Biobest Canada is
seeking to restructure its pollen purchase
program and as such has a number of
opportunities for suppliers of high-quality,
high-protein pollen in North America. We
prefer Canadian-sourced, fresh frozen
pollen, but will consider freeze-dried pollen
sources. We are willing to pay up to
$8.00/lb (or as negotiated) depending on
quantity, quality, origin, transportation
costs, etc:Immediately for up to 10,000
pounds of pollen from your inventory
Annually for up to 30,000 pounds of
pollen. Biobest would like to develop long-
term partnerships with three to five
high-integrity beekeepers. Contact: Bernie
Mantay,Plant Manager:bernie@biobest.ca;
Tel: 519-322-2178; Cell: 519-999-1138.
Wanted: full size honey supers with full
drawn comb in the frames. Contact:Reg
Lumley, Sarnia, ON (519)464-3326
emailrjlumley@cogeco.ca
Wanted: two seasonal beekeepers-April to
Nov 2014.$10.25 per hour plus bonus
based on performance. Training provided.
Contact: Tom Congdon(519)839-4000
email-sunphuny@aol.com
27
Wanted: Drawn honey bee comb in
standard supers and used beekeeping
equipment (inspected & passed by
provincial regulations) Location:
Saskatchewan Contact: Jack Hamilton
(902) 844-2040 or (902) 847-3150
email: jack.hamilton@ns.sympatico.ca
Help Wanted: Seven (7) Seasonal
beekeepers
April to Nov. 2014, $10.33/hour
Work physically demanding and long
hours. Includes beehive management and
maintenance. Must have valid and clean
drivers license. Contact: Mike Parker
(905)563-7285 email: charlie-
beehoney@sympatico.ca
Help Wanted: Charlie-Bee Honey requires
two (2) apiary technicians for the 2014-
2015 seasons.
Help Wanted-Apiary Technician- 2 years
minimum experience in the apiary field.
Seasonal with potential for year round
employment.
Duties- handle feed care for bee colonies
and supervise crew members. Recognize
bee health issues and take remedial action.
Prepare hives for transportation for
pollination and honey production. Bee yard
maintenance, operate and maintain
machinery relevant to apiary, harvest
honey, build and maintain beehive
equipment, keep proper records. Able to
interact with other people we deal with in
our operations. Wages- negotiable to
experience
Working Conditions- long hours at certain
times of the year. Outside work in all kinds
of weather. Heavy lifting involved. Must be M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal
a team player and able to work well,
efficiently independent or in a crew.
Travelling in Ontario and Manitoba
required. Require valid drivers license with
abstract. DZ or AZ beneficial but not
necessary. Operate machinery but will
train. Own transportation to and from work.
Contact:Mike Parker (905)563-7285
Email:Charlie-beehoney@sympatico.ca
Seasonal Help Wanted: Six(6)seasonal
beekeeper labourers in Alvinston, Ontario,
Canada from April until December 2014.
Work is physically demanding and
includes hive management and
 CLASSIFIED CORNER.... continued
maintenance. International drivers license
is required. Must be able to follow
instruction in English. Send resume to
info@munrohoney.com or post to Munro
Honey, Box 428, Alvinston, ON Canada
N0N 1A0.
Full time seasonal beekeeper wanted from
mid April to mid November. Duties include
maintaining bee hives and honey
extracting. Heavy lifting involved, and no
bee allergies please. Wages dependent on
experience. contact Dan at
sddavidson@brktel.on.ca
Busy Bee Beekeeping Supplies -
Beekeeping equipment and supplies.
Beeswax and bee pollen bought and sold.
(613)275-1112 email:
busybeesupplies@hawk.igs.net or visit our
website
www.busybeebeekeepingsupplies.ca
Dancing Bee Equipment Sales(905)753-
2623 tak@netscape.ca visit our website
www.dancingbeehoney.com Budget box
sale, finger joint 100 for $8.99 each, deep
one piece plastic frames 1,000 for $1.79
each, wholesale pricing available on all
beekeeping supplies
We are currently accepting Spring 2014
orders for nucs with Italian, mite resistant,
hygienic, naturally mated queens from
California. For more information and
current price
email:info@forestdewfarm.com, phone
(613)839-9990 or visit webpage:
www.forestdewapiaries.com
50lb or 80lb buckets of liquid honey
wanted, Price to be negotiated. Scott
Dunlop 613-253-3561
M a r ch 2 014 The Ontario Bee Journal
highlands_hunter@rogers.com
White honey wanted ~ 60 barrels Contact:
Dao (647)236-6886 or send email to
info@royalbee.ca
Szabo Queens - Quality Queens, Queen
cells, nucs and hives available for 2014.
Contact: Tibor Szabo (519)836-5617 or
(519)763-2715
email:szaboqueens@gmail.com visit
website: www.honeybees.com
HIVE 'N HOE Country Store - full line of
beekeeping supplies. Open 9-5 six days a
week. Contact us for more information and
to order. 1-866-314-3529 email:
lazyj@bmts.com
Propolis - etc... Beekeeping Supplies
Carleton Place, Guelph, Toronto store to
serve you better!
Carleton Place (613) 253-2337 Guelph
(519) 763-7291 Toronto location open
http://www.propolis-etc.ca/
Propolis - etc. ... Beekeeping Supplies "we
will match all competitor regular pricing for
identical products"
Three locations in Ontario to serve all your
beekeeping needs! Give us a phone call.
BEES AND HONEY FOR SALE
Bees available mid to late June with a
minimum order of $1000.00
Nucs for sale @ $150.00 each
Singles hives for sale @ $180.00 each
Double hives for sale @ $250.00 each
Western Honey
White honey for sale in drums. $2.50
per pound. Limited quantities available.
Please contact Blake by e-mail:
hardysapiaries@yahoo.ca or 613-827-
2373
Quality woodenware available through
Cedarwood Honey. Deep and shallow
finger jointed supers (select, commercial
and budget), frames, bee escapes, bottom
boards, inner covers, and telescopic lids.
Competitive pricing....call Henry for more
info at (519)338-2442.
Dutchmans Gold Inc. in Carlisle Ontario
requires 1 Apiary Technician (NOC
number 8253) and 3 Apiary workers
(NOC number 8431) for the 2014, 2015
seasons.
Apiary Technician
Experience: minimum two years with a
commercial apiary.
Education and Language requirements:
must have diploma in Apiary Management
Course. Must be able to communicate and
write in English.
Duties: Handle, feed and care for honey
bee colonies and supervise apiary workers.
Recognize hive health issues and take
28
remedial action. Prepare and transport
hives for pollination and honey production.
Bee Yard maintenance. Operate and
maintain apiary related equipment.
Harvest honey crop. Build and maintain
beehive equipment. Keep field and
production records. Interact with external
farm personnel (ex. Owners of apiary
locations, supply companies). Report to,
and take direction from the owner of
Dutchmans Gold Inc.
Wages: Depending on experience $16:00
to $20:00 per hour.
Apiary Worker
Experience: Candidates must have
minimum 1 year working experience in a
commercial apiary. Language
requirements: None (English or compatible
language with Supervisor would be
beneficial)
Duties: Handle, feed and care for honey
bee colonies under the direction of apiary
technician. Learn to recognize hive health
issues and report to supervising apiary
technician. Prepare and transport hives for
pollination and honey production. Bee Yard
maintenance. Operate and maintain apiary
related equipment. Harvest honey crop.
Build and maintain beehive equipment.
Wages Depending on Experience: $12.00
to $15.00 per hour.
Working Conditions: Apiary Technicians
and Workers will work long hours at certain
times of the year. Many tasks are
performed outside in all kinds of weather.
Apiary Technicians and workers may
routinely lift items weighing 30 kg or more.
Bee yards are located in multiple locations
in Southern Ontario. Apiary Technicians
and workers will travel to those locations
in company trucks.
Candidates must be in good physical
health, be willing to learn, have a
responsible attitude and be able to work in
a team environment in a pleasant and civil
manner. Seasonal employment (March
through November) Could lead to
permanent full time employment for the
right candidate.Contact: John at
Dutchmans Gold Inc. 300 Carlisle Rd.,
Carlisle, Ontario. L0R-1H2.
john@dutchmansgold.com Fax 905-689-
7730
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