Are you including checks for other Bee diseases when you inspect for Varroa?
Fiona Fernie
TAB Editor
Once the monthly TAB has been sent out to members, the editorial team scratches their collective heads, planning for the next issue. We do not often receive feedback, but a huge thank you to one of our members, who pointed out that we had not covered the changes to the AHBIC Code of Practice in our magazine. We really welcome any member feedback about topics you would like to see covered – we shall endeavour to source the information or the educational topics you would like to see covered. Thank you to Rod Bourke and his team for writing about the changes, for us.
AFB Awareness Month – August in Queensland and October in NSW. Bruce White has written an excellent article which will appear in next month’s issue of TAB. But, for all beekeepers, AFB is potentially a major problem, as it can wipe out colonies and spread the disease to healthy bees. Whichever month you chose to observe the warning and carry out a disease inspection, is a positive step.
Our problem, as beekeepers, is that Varroa destructor has become so all consuming, that we have forgotten about, American Foulbrood, Chalkbrood, Sacbrood, etc. Every time you open your hives, use all of your senses, your hands, your eyes, your ears, your nose and, yes, your sense of taste! Taste and smell are inextricably linked.
Just because there are specific months allocated to AFB Awareness, does not mean that those are the only months to be looking for diseases – it is a reminder of our biosecurity obligation to look for the diseases. Honey bees are livestock and it is our responsibility to look after their health and welfare.
How are your preparations coming along for Col.Pulling and Bruce White Shield competitions? Have you caught that terrific photograph? Have you found a showstopper of a honey cake? There is a quiz included in this issue – could you answer all the questions correctly? The inter club competition is a lot of fun, but it has a serious side, also. Good beekeeping skills are on show, along with some scientific honey bee knowledge. The Quiz has been written by an independent party and the Editorial Team has no access to the questions.
I have included a link to a Veto-Pharma Webinar. It is always interesting to listen to any Varroa related research. Whether it comes from Europe, New Zealand or North America, Australia is a whole different continent. Our climate is different and so is our Varroa management. Knowledge is power! Read or listen, but always remember, we are different here.