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  • From: John Rintoul <beecd AT icloud.com>
  • To: Orange County Beekeepers Association <ocba AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [ocba] Mite-a-Thon 2017
  • Date: Wed, 02 Aug 2017 09:11:27 -0400

The USDA Pollinator Partnership, the Honey Bee Health Coalition, and other beekeeping organizations are asking the nation's beekeepers to participate in 2017 North American Mite-A-Thon. This is an effort to get better data on mite numbers, monitoring activity and treatment choices. Monitor your mite load now so that you will be prepared to participate in Mite-a-Thon 2017.

Mite-A-Thon is a national effort to collect mite infestation data and to visualize varroa infestations in honey bee colonies across North America within a one week window.  All beekeepers will be asked to participate, creating a rich distribution of sampling sites in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.  Their varroa monitoring data will be uploaded to www.mitecheck.com

The parasitic mite, Varroa destructor (varroa), and the viruses it vectors is a significant driver of this honey bee colony mortality. Yet, indicators suggest that many beekeepers are not monitoring honey bee colony varroa infestations and therefore not able to connect infestation to colony loss. 

OBJECTIVE:          
To raise awareness about honey bee colony varroa infestationsin North America through effective monitoring methods. 2.  Management strategies will be made available for discussion within bee organizations utilizing Mite-A-Thon partner developed information and outreach materials.

DATE:          
The week of SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 TO SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017.

PARTICIPANTS:          
All beekeepers are encouraged to participate

COST:          
There is no cost.  You can create your own test materials or kits can be purchased online. Some scholarships are available (js AT pollinator.org). 

DATA COLLECTION:          
Participants will monitor the level of mites (number of mites per 100 bees) using a standardized protocol utilizing two common methods of assessment (powdered sugar roll or alcohol wash) and then enter data, including location, total number of hives, number of hives tested, local habitat, and the number of varroa mites counted from each hive.  The published information will not identify individual participants.

More information can be found here.

John Rintoul
(919) 414-4071 (M)

No trees or bees were killed in the distribution of this message, but countless electrons were seriously inconvenienced.


  • [ocba] Mite-a-Thon 2017, John Rintoul, 08/02/2017

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