Free Bee Talk July 9

Bee. Photo by Anne E. O’Malley

Free Bee Talk July 9

State apiary specialist Danielle Downey will bee the featured speaker in a free public talk on pest and disease management at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 9 in the Kaua`i Community College Electronics & Technology building auditorium.

“This is a good chance for beekeepers to learn more about how to manage for small hive beetle, which is now on Kaua`i,” said Jimmy Trujillo, president of the Kaua`i Beekeeping Association (KBEE).

The small hive beetle (SHB), a pest that lays its larvae in brood and honey, has now been reliably confirmed from Po`ipu to Kilauea. State apiary staff are urging beekeepers to carefully inspect their hives and equipment on a regular basis, and especially prior to moving colonies, to help prevent further spread of these pests.

“Danielle will also be sharing information on American Foul Brood, a very serious and harmful brood disease responsible for decimating Hawai`i’s honeybee population in the early part of the 20th Century,” Trujillo said.

It has recently been detected on Maui.

The Big Island and Oahu also have established populations of varroa mite.

“Danielle will be giving us a heads up on what to look out for, and how to monitor for these pests,” Trujillo said.

The 90-minute program will allow time for discussion and questions. “It’s a great opportunity to meet Danielle, share ideas and bee friendly with other beekeepers,” Trujillo said.
The talk is hosted by the KCC Apiary Program, Hawai`i Department of Agriculture State Apiary Program and KBEE. For more information, call Trujillo at 346-775 or click here.  http://kauaibuzz.wordpress.com.