Extension and Outreach

Beekeeping Basics

Randall Paul Cass Small Farms Conference February 2018 About Me

• Extension Entomologist • Support research • Communicate findings to the public • Worked with beekeepers in 5 countries

• Follow me on Instagram: @iowastatebees 2

Extension and Outreach Today’s Discussion

Information for New Beekeepers

• Honey bee biology • Beekeeping basics • Resources for getting started

Ongoing Research at Iowa State

• Bees in the Iowa landscape • Best practices for Iowa Beekeepers

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Extension and Outreach Why Become a Beekeeper?

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Extension and Outreach Why Become a Beekeeper?

• Pollination

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Extension and Outreach Why Become a Beekeeper?

• Pollination • Honey

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Extension and Outreach Why Become a Beekeeper?

• Pollination • Honey • It’s fun

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Extension and Outreach The Honey Bee

• Scientific Name: Apis Mellifera

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Extension and Outreach The Honey Bee

• Scientific Name: Apis Mellifera • One of few honey producing species

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Extension and Outreach The Honey Bee

• Scientific Name: Apis Mellifera • One of few honey producing species • Most common varieties: Italian and Carnolian

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Extension and Outreach The Honey Bee

• Scientific Name: Apis Mellifera • One of few honey producing species • Most common varieties: Italian and Carnolian • Around 5000 beekeepers in Iowa today

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Extension and Outreach The Honey Bee Three-Caste Society

• Worker

• Queen

• Drone

Photos: University of Georgia 12

Extension and Outreach Honey Bee Pests and Disease

• Varroa Mite • Wax Moth • Small Hive Beetle • Chalk Brood • American/European Foul Brood • Nosema • Deformed Wing Virus

Photos: University of Florida, 13

Extension and Outreach Finding the Right Place Consider Local Laws

• The City of Ames has no laws prohibiting keeping bees • But neighbors may disagree

Considering the Natural Elements

• Will the location be too hot or too cold? • Does the area experience extreme wind? • Are there raccoons?? 14

Extension and Outreach Finding the Right Place Overwintering

• Apis Mellifera is bred to survive cold winters • Have a windbreak • Ventilation is important • Some beekeepers wrap their hives for winter

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Extension and Outreach Monitoring the Hive Throughout the Year Things to check for every 7- 10 days: • If the Queen is present • Signs of pest and disease • Hive population/swarming potential • Honey stores

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Extension and Outreach Equipment

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Extension and Outreach Will I Get Stung?

• Only 1% of the population is severely allergic • Most species only sting when they feel threatened • When stung, avoid breaking the venom sac • Invest if in Epi-Pen

Extension and Outreach Resources for New Beekeepers in Iowa Local Resources • Iowa Honey Producers Association • State Apiarist: Andy Joseph • ‘The Buzz’ Newsletter

Purchasing Bees • Spring Valley Honey Farms (Perry, IA) • P & P Honey and Bee Supply (Goodell, IA) Purchasing Equipment • Dadant Bee Supplies, Mann Lake Bee Supplies 19

Extension and Outreach Iowa State Research Pollinator Conservation

• Funded by USDA/NIFA • Focused on Soybean and Prairie • Looking at impacts of major bee stressors (The 3 P’s):  Pests and disease  Poor forage  Pesticide exposure • Observing the effect honey bees have on native species 20 Extension and Outreach

Iowa State Research USDA/NIFA Grant Co PI’s: Amy Toth, Adam Dolezal, Matt O’Neal, and Erin Hodgson

Post-Doctoral Researcher: Harmen Hendriksma

PhD Students: Ashley St. Clair and Ge Zhang

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Extension and Outreach Iowa State Research Our Preliminary Research Monitoring hive mass in simple and complex agricultural landscapes

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Extension and Outreach Iowa State Research Our Preliminary Research

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Extension and Outreach Iowa State Research Our Preliminary Research

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Extension and Outreach Iowa State Research

Best Practices for Beekeepers

• Monitoring hives regularly for pests and disease • Take forage availability into consideration • Communicate with nearby farmers

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Extension and Outreach Iowa State Research

Best Practices for Farmers

• Manage insecticide drift • Manage off-dusting from treated seed • Establishing pollinator-friendly habitat or enrolling in CRP programs • Utilizing an IPM plan

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Extension and Outreach Iowa State Research

Best Practices for Farmers

• Follow the Iowa “Bee Rule”

“Farmers may not apply pesticides labeled ‘toxic to bees’ between 8a.m. and 6p.m. to blooming crops within 1 mile of registered apiaries”

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Extension and Outreach Iowa State Research Driftwatch

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Extension and Outreach Extension and Outreach

Thank You

Randall Paul Cass Extension Entomologist, Honey Bees and Native Bees Iowa State University, Ames IA

[email protected] | 515.294.2507 | Instagram: @iowastatebees https://www.ent.iastate.edu/pollinators/