Integrated Pest Management
- Decision-making process based on understanding the host and pest biology and host-pest interactions
- Action based on thresholds
- Uses multiple tactics
- Safe, profitable and environmentally friendly
Knowledge is Power
- Know what is going on in your hives
- Keeping in mind cost-benefit
- Know host and pest/pathogen biology
- Know symptoms of specific stressors
- Monitor for certain stressors (e.g., Varroa)
- Prevention rather than intervention
- Have a plan for prevention and treatment if necessary
Annual Colony Loss
- 2018 Bee Informed Partnership Survey
- ~40%
Causes
- Backyard
- Starvation
- Poor Winter
- Weak
- Commercial
- Varroa
- Queen Failure
- Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)
What Affects Honey Bees
- Climate
- Farmer/Grower Practices
- Nutrition
- Variety
- Quality
- Pesticides
- Residues
- Field exposure
- Hive exposure
- Microbes (beneficial)
- Management Practices
- General care
- Disease management
- Pathogens/Pests
- Resistance
- Treatment