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Hivemind is launching a new Hive Strength Monitor with WiFi that tracks and reports data on hive humidity, bee count, and in-hive and ambient temperature to keep beekeepers informed about the condition of their beehives. They are running an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to help fund the development and enable hobbyists, pollinators, and researchers to get a special early bird price on the product.
West Australia is celebrating its annual Honey Month in May, and will kick off the month with the Honey Festival in the Swan Valley. We wish to extend an invitation to all beekeepers to join in the festivities at The House of Honey , 867 Great Northern Highway, Herne Hill on Sunday 7 May 10am to 4pm. Read on for the full program
APIS CERANA AND VARROA JACOBSONI IN TOWNSVILLE – NO. 17 - 2 March 2017
In the two and half months since I last reported there have been no Asian bees found in Townsville. Under the Response Plan the eradication phase of the program ended on 28 February and we now move into the proof of freedom stage. It is anticipated that the proof of freedom stage will last for three (3) years unless there are more findings of Asian bees and Varroa jacobsoni.
In February I spent a day in Townsville talking with the leaders of the eradication response. I was pleased with the discussions I had. Now the proof of freedom stage has been started there will be a reduction in the staffing numbers. Key members of the eradication program will be retained.
Thank you to the industry volunteers who went to Townsville to help out. Your input, particularly in showing the local beekeepers how to carry out sugar shakes, alcohol washes and drone uncapping, were very much appreciated by the local beekeepers. This testing forms an important part of the proof of freedom stage.
One of the staff who will moving onto another job is Roger Winton. Roger came in as the local controller when the Asian bees and V. jacobsoni were first found. I found Roger very easy to work with. So thank you Roger for your work. Best of luck in your new job.
So at this stage I will not be putting out any more information bulletins unless there is a change in the situation in Townsville.
There have recently been newspaper articles about Australian honey being contaminated with alkaloids. These are in effect a rehash of issues that were dealt with some 5 years ago, and are both misleading and inaccurate. A comprehensive and detailed explanation/response can be found on the Australian Honey Bee Inductry Council website.
Go to http://honeybee.org.au/australian-honey-is-a-safe-natural-product
The Primary Industries Health and Safety Partnership has produced a series of videos to help raise awareness of work place health and safety for bee keepers and those who are interested in taking up the hobby.
Why do bees sting? https://youtu.be/GtDD-BVuGuY?list=PLFGsRc6SOWFllxlmoOFu0KQl7eS6mARX8
What should beekeepers do to avoid being stung? https://youtu.be/3Toruss7OLY?list=PLFGsRc6SOWFllxlmoOFu0KQl7eS6mARX8
Steps to take when stung by a bee: https://youtu.be/Al1c5XU-5bo?list=PLFGsRc6SOWFllxlmoOFu0KQl7eS6mARX8
How does a smoker actually calm bees? https://youtu.be/Ueafw62fN3Q?list=PLFGsRc6SOWFllxlmoOFu0KQl7eS6mARX8
How can reactions to bee stings become more severe over time?https://youtu.be/ugiUAzz6Mic?list=PLFGsRc6SOWFllxlmoOFu0KQl7eS6mARX8
How can beekeepers select less aggressive bees? https://youtu.be/BoHJVDSTQ24?list=PLFGsRc6SOWFllxlmoOFu0KQl7eS6mARX8