Resources for Beekeepers
Beekeeping has a steep learning curve. Keeping bees alive and healthy takes dedicated time and effort. The Honey Bee Health Coalition's Best Management Practices For Hive Health is a valuable resource for all beekeepers to help keep their bees healthy.
If you suspect American Foul Brood in your one or more of your colonies, contact the State Apiculturist immediately 802-272-6688. The Honey Bee Health Coalition's guide to Identifying and Mitigating Foulbrood in Honey Bee colonies and reducing the Use of Antibiotics is a useful resource for beekeepers.
Bees face numerous challenges including pests, parasites, disease, pesticides, and loss of habitat. One parasite in particular, the Varroa mite, is known to contribute to approximately 70% of colony losses each year. All bees are susceptible to Varroa and associated viruses. Beekeepers in Vermont are required to operate with a mite mitigation plan.
Mite Mitigation Plan
Need help writing a mite mitigation plan?
We recommend using the Honey Bee Health Coalition's TOOLS FOR VARROA MANAGEMENT website and guide
Effective Mite Mitigation Plans include the following information:
- Mite sampling frequency and method(s)
- Management or treatment threshold levels in #of mites detected/ 100 bees
- Treatment or management methods
More useful resources:
Northeastern IPM for Varroa Mites brochure
Varroa Mite Mitigation Sampling Sheet
Varroa Mite Mitigation Plan Worksheet
Oxalic Acid (Api-Bioxal)
Oxalic acid is now approved for use with honey supers on the hive.
New research has shown that extended release Oxalic Acid can be an effective tool for Varroa management. Vermont has drafted a state-wide label exemption to allow the use of Api-bioxal using an extended release formula.
The recommendations for use can be found here: Recommendations for the use of for Api-Bioxal (EPA Reg. No.91266-1-73291)-Oxalic Acid
Bee Research and Diagnostic Labs
The United States Department of Agriculture has honey bee research laboratories in Arizona, Louisiana, Maryland, Texas, and Utah.
Diagnostic Services
USDA Bee Research Laboratory Beltsville, MD
A free diagnostic service for bacterial, fungal and microsporidian diseases as well as for two species of parasitic mites and other pests associated with honey bees
National Agricultural Genotyping Center
A fee for service for honey bee pathogens including, nosema, American Foul Brood, European Foul Brood, Viruses, and more
Honey Bee Queen and Disease Clinic
Established as a natural extension service leveraging basic and field honey bee research at North Carolina State University, the clinic has worked to improve colony health for over 10 years.
Bees and Bears
The Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife handles all bear damage complaints in Vermont. A beekeeper must contact the local Fish & Game Warden if bear-related problems are noted. If certain conditions are met, a beekeeper may be reimbursed a portion of the damages caused by bears.
For additional information on bees and bears, visit the Vermont Beekeepers Association or contact the State Apiculturist at 802-272-6688 or Brooke.Decker@vermont.gov.
Honey Labeling Requirements
Honey Labels Must Contain the Following:
Common Name:
If the product contains only honey, the word “Honey” must be included on the label.
It is not a requirement, but the name of a floral source may be used, if it is the primary floral source for the honey.
An ingredient statement is not required if the only ingredient is Honey.
If any other sweeteners are added to the honey, it may not be labeled as “Honey”
If flavorings are added to the honey (ex. Cinnamon), this must be included on the label and in an ingredient statement.
Net Weight:
Honey is measured by net weight.
The net weight (excluding packaging), in pounds/ounces and in metric weight (grams) must be included in easy-to-read type.
Example: Net Wt. 16 oz. (454 g)
Contact Information:
The label must include the name and contact information of the beekeeper or business that put the product on the market.
At minimum, the contact information must include Name, Town, and phone number.
Need more info?
National Honey Board: www.Honey.com
FDA
Websites
Honey Bee Health Coalition - A great resource for Best Practices and Varroa Mite Management
Bee Informed Partnership
Beekeeping Associations
Vermont Beekeepers Association
P.O. Box 764
Burlington, VT 05402-0764
American Beekeeping Federation
Phone: (404) 760-2875
Email: info@ABFnet.org
American Honey Producers Association
Phone:(406) 463-2227 or (406) 463-2217
Beekeeping and Pollinator Journals
The American Bee Journal
Dadant and Sons
51 S. 2nd St.
Hamilton, IL 62341
Bee Culture
A.I. Root Co.
623 W. Liberty St.
Medina, OH 44256
800-289-7668
2 Million Blossoms- Protecting Our Pollinators
A new quarterly dedicated to protecting our pollinators
Beekeeping Books
There are many books published on all aspects of apiculture and the following brief list includes several titles of interest to beekeepers of all skill levels. Check the various bee equipment suppliers and the bee journals for titles of interest to you.
The ABC & XYZ of Bee Culture
edited and written by R.A. Morse and Kim Flottum
A.I. Root Co., Medina, OH.
The Hive and the Honey Bee
edited by Dadant & Sons.
Dadant and Sons, Inc., Hamilton, IL.
A Year in the Beeyard
Roger A. Morse
Wicwas Press
Beekeeping Education Service
P.O. Box 817
Cheshire, CT 06410-0817
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Beekeeping
by Roger A. Morse and Ted Hooper, editors
Wicwas Press
P.O. Box 817
Cheshire, CT 06410-0817
Rearing Queen Honey Bees
Roger A. Morse
Wicwas Press
P.O. Box 817
Cheshire, CT 06410-0817
Honey Bee Pests, Predators and Diseases
edited by Roger A. Morse and Kim Flottum
Cornell University Press
Ithaca, NY 14851
Beeswax: Production, Harvesting, Processing and Products
William L. Coggshall and R.A. Morse.
Wicwas Press
P.O. Box 817
Cheshire, CT 06410-0817
The Backyard Beekeeper
Kim Flottum
Root Publications
Medina, OH
Beekeeping, A Practical Guide
Richard E. Bonney
Wicwas Press
P.O. Box 817
Cheshire, CT 06410-0817
Beekeeping Basics
MAAREC
The Pennsylvania State University
CAT AGRS-93
Honey Promotion & Information
National Honey Board
11409 Business Park Circle
Suite #210
Firestone, CO 80504.
Phone: (303) 776-2337