A new chemical could unlock a new treatment for the mites that are decimating honey bee colonies in local apiaries.
The Simon Fraser University (SFU) discovery would treat varroa mites. They say these pests infiltrate colonies, take bites out of bees and leave them vulnerable to disease and injury.
Rachel Halliwell, owner of Home Grown Bee on Vancouver Island, says the mites are about the size of poppy seeds and can spread the deformed wing virus.
Halliwell adds that viruses like these can wipe out a colony in one season if the mites are not managed.
The problem for beekeepers extends worldwide, according to SFU. Halliwell says preparing for these mites is key to keeping colonies alive, especially during the winter.
“You’d be hard-pressed to find a beekeeper who doesn’t have varroa mites,” Halliwell said. “We’re constantly talking about integrated pest management, which is possibly monthly mite checks to see if there’s a high mite load and different techniques to ensure that the mites are reduced.”
Halliwell says there are a few treatments for mites at the moment. Techniques to check for mites include putting a sample of 300 bees in a jar of sugar and shaking it, causing the mites to fall out.
Chemical treatments may also include formic acid, hop protectant and oxalic acid. The problem for beekeepers is that the mites are starting to become resistant to some treatments, according to Halliwell.
The university says they have discovered a new chemical that is working well in clinical trials so far. The damage they add to the bees has been minimal, a very important aspect for beekeepers.
“Our goal is always to ensure that the health of the colony persists, so we don’t want to use anything too harsh that will kill our bees or affect them in a negative way,” Halliwell said.
SFU’s chemical, called 3C36, is currently being tested in the Lower Mainland in about 40 different colonies. So far, chemistry teacher Erika Plettner says the results have been encouraging based on what falls on the hives’ sticky test sheets.
“The sticky sheets under the hives help us take a snapshot of what’s falling, and we can take them back to the lab, put them under the microscope and count them,” Plettner said. “It’s very promising. We observed that our compound causes a greater drop of mites than the control group.”
Plettner adds that if the results continue to run smoothly, the university will take the product to federal approval and seek licensing partners.
Because bees are crucial to ecosystems across the country, Halliwell hopes the new treatment will allow another method to combat the mites.
“They’re very important to our food security and, unfortunately, it’s management that most beekeepers have to incorporate into their practice,” Halliwell said. “Any help we can get would be great.”
Halliwell adds that provincial inspectors along with bee clubs can help beekeepers manage disease control, check for mites and answer questions.