Beekeeping Fundamentals Protect your bees

The Utah Apiary Inspection Act requires bee- keepers to register their hives with Utah Depart- ment of Agriculture and Food (UDAF). The UDAF uses the registration database to contact local beekeepers and arrange for precautionary inspections to check for any signs of infections, and to advise on what to do. www.ag.utah.gov/plants-pests/ beekeeping.html The Utah Apiary Inspection Program is also a fantastic source of information on:

 Pest and disease recognition and control

 The legislation you need to know

 Key contacts

 Current areas of research into honey bee protection

Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Division of Plant Industry Don’t put your bees at risk - register with UDAF

Registration is easy and inexpensive! 350 North Redwood Road Salt Lake City, Utah 84114 www.ag.utah.gov/licenses-registrations.html Phone: 801-538-4912 By phone: 801-538-4912 Fax: 801-538-7189 E-mail: [email protected] What beekeepers say Experience has shown that two aspects of Disease recognition and control: colony management are particularly im- portant in keeping colonies productive:  Know the signs of bee diseases and check for colony husbandry and disease recogni- them each time you examine your colonies: Get some training or refresh your skills tion and control. Here are some hints www.extension.org/pages/25099/university-of- Most established beekeepers say when start-

and tips on good practice for both topics. florida-bee-disease-videos ing out, getting the right training and advice is

vitally important. They also say training can Colony husbandry: https://agdev.anr.udel.edu/maarec/honey-bee- help established beekeepers keep up-to-date biology/honey-bee-parasites-pests-predators-and- on best practice techniques and disease man-  Maintain good apiary and hive hy- diseases/ agement. Talk to your local beekeepers asso- giene. It will help prevent disease from ciation, who run theory and practical training taking hold and flourishing. Avoid  Varroa mite management is an ongoing task courses, or contact your local bee inspector. used equipment unless you person- which should be practiced throughout the ag.utah.gov/plants-pests/beekeeping.html ally know it was disease free. active season, not just in the autumn.

“  Rotate old black comb out of your  Aim to have healthy bees with minimum var- Talk to other beekeepers hives. It can harbor diseases and pesti- roa levels to go into autumn and winter. They One of the best sources of advice, help and cide residues. will have a higher chance of surviving winter support is experienced beekeepers. Join your and helping the queen to raise brood in the beekeepers association or befriend a local  Ensure that each colony always has new year: beekeeper. sufficient carbohydrate (honey or sug- http://www.extension.org/pages/31539/varroa-

ar) and protein (pollen) as well as ac- sampling

cess to suitable water sources. Register your beehives with UDAF  If you think your bees might have American UDAF is an invaluable resource for beekeep-  Try to find apiary sites that offer a foulbrood disease contact your local bee in- ers. Not only is UDAF part of the network of wide variety of forage for the bees. spector for free diagnosis. information available to help and guide bee-

keepers, it is also there to help you take nec-  As much as possible, purchase locally  Rotating out old dark combs can have a sig- essary action to protect your colonies from adapted bees and queens. If you do nificant effect on minimizing disease out- any known disease outbreaks in your area.

hints and tips... and hints bring bees in from another area make breaks and pesticide residues in combs. When your hives are registered, UDAF can sure they are from a reliable source. alert you to any disease outbreaks. UDAF will  Re-queen hives that aren’t thriving with hy- arrange to inspect your colonies if necessary.  Concentrate on improving your stock. gienic and/or local survivor stock. To ensure the early action necessary to pro- Cull the queens which least suit your tect your colonies. For more information go requirements; breed from those which to: ag.utah.gov/plants -pests/beekeeping.html ” most suit them.