The Buzz
December 2016
Newsletter for the Cook DuPage Beekeepers Association
An Affiliate of Illinois State Beekeepers Association
Membership Update
The Cook DuPage Beekeepers Association is now accepting
membership renewals for 2017. If you’d like to renew online,
click here.
2017 Package Bee Update
Package bees will be available through CDBA in 2017. An
email will be sent out in the coming weeks with information
about how to place your order with CDBA
HIGHLIGHTS:
Membership Update
Package Bee Update
Interactive: Feel Like a Bee
Chores of the Month
Article Excerpt: USDA
Letter from Pres. Pete Soltesz
Mark your Calendar
Candy Board Recipe
Recipe: Honey Spice Cookies
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February Meeting
Interactive: You’re a Bee. This
is What it Feels Like
Our next meeting will be held Saturday, February 18, 2017 at
Christ Lutheran Church of Clarendon Hills. We look forward
to beginning a new beekeeping season with you. Until then,
have a safe winter season.
The New York Times recently published an interactive article
about what it feels like to be a bee. Click here to learn what
it’s like to be on the other side of the hive.
Chores of the Month
December brings the cold wind, snow and holiday
cheer. It’s a time to focus on family and
friends. Fortunately, your bees require little attention.
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Carefully go through all the beekeeping catalogs
before you write your letter to Santa with your
wish list (share the list with your family!)
In our area it is time to:
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Check the outside of your hive to make sure that
no damage has occurred to the hive from wind or
critters. Look for scratch marks from animals, like
skunks.
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Don’t panic when you see dead bees in the snow.
The bees do housekeeping and the dead bees are
more noticeable when it snows.
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Consider putting up a windbreak if you haven’t
already.
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Brush snow away from the front entrance.
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Periodically remove your mouse guard and swipe
your hive tool across the bottom of the hive to
remove dead bees.
USDA Will Spend $4 Million to Help Honey Bees
Midwestern farmers and ranchers are getting $4 million in federal help to improve the health of honey bees, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture announced Wednesday.
The aid through USDA's Environmental Quality Incentives Program would help producers in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin and
Michigan implement conservation practices, such as seeding alfalfa or clover crops on pasture land.
Bees play an important role in food production, pollinating an estimated $15 billion worth of crops, according to USDA. Their
numbers have been declining at a sharp rate in recent years due in part to colony collapse disorder, blamed on a number of factors
including mites, pesticides and habitat loss.
"The future of America's food supply depends on honey bees, and this effort is one way USDA is helping improve the health of honey
bee populations," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement Wednesday.
The government is focusing its efforts through the EQIP program on the five Midwest states because about two-thirds of the
commercially managed honey bees spend their time there from June to September. The $4 million for fiscal 2015, which began Oct.
1, builds on $3 million approved in fiscal 2014, USDA spokesman Justin Fritscher said.
The federal government also is providing $8 million in similar incentives in those states through the Conservation Reserve Program,
according to U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, D-North Dakota, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
North Dakota has led the nation in the production of honey for a decade. Production in 2013 totaled about 34 million pounds —
more than one-fifth of all the honey in the country and a crop valued at nearly $65 million.
The state has taken steps in recent years to combat the decline of honey bees, particularly developing guidelines in 2013 for farmers,
ranchers, landowners and beekeepers to better protect bees.
Click here for the full article: http://www.agweb.com/article/usda-will-spend-4-million-to-help-honey-bees-associated-press/
Associated Press. AG WEI Farm Journal. "USDA Will Spend $4 Million to Help Honey Bees" AG WEI Powered By Farm Journal Online, 4 December.2016. Web Dec 4. 2016.
A Letter from CDBA President, Pete Soltesz
Happy Holidays!
Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending a special conference of the Illinois State Beekeepers Association (ISBA) with CDBA Vice
President, John Hansen. The topic of discussion was the new Veterinary Feed Directive and its impact on treatment of European
Foulbrood (EFB.) I was humbled at the meeting by the level of experience and knowledge of the State Inspectors and other experts
that were called upon to report on their findings.
European Foulbrood, Locally On the Rise
Recently, more and more Illinois beekeepers are experiencing European Foulbrood. Year over year, the number of reported cases
have been rising. Locally, in 2016, in Cook, DuPage, Kane and DeKalb counties, several cases have been reported to the State Apiary
Inspectors. While most of us are probably saying – “I haven’t seen it or experienced this in any of my hives,” we now know - EFB is
here.
After hearing story after story from the State Inspectors on how one Apiary infected another, I felt compelled to share the ISBA notes
and materials so we are all made better made aware and are better prepared for the upcoming 2017 season. Anyone with questions
may feel free to call me at (650) 200-5582, or write me at [email protected].
What is EFB, and How Do I Know I Have It?
EFB is a bacterial infection, primarily in the gut of the honey bee larva. Melissococcus plutonius (MP) is the name of the primary
bacteria.
According to Rob Snyder, Crop Protection Agent in Oroville, CA, European Foulbrood (Melissococcus plutonius) is transmitted when
the bacteria become mixed with the bee bread, nectar or diluted honey, and then fed to young larvae. The bacteria then replicate in
the larvae mid-gut, killing the larvae within 4-5 days. This causes the larvae to die before sealed in most cases. When the larvae dies it
is left in a “stomach-ache” position making it look contorted or twisted in the cell.
There are several secondary bacteria associated with EFB, including Paenibacillus alvei (PA.) This is often why the disease looks
different in many cases depending on how severe the infection is. In hygienic colonies an EFB infection can be mistaken for a failing
queen or spotty brood pattern because the bees are removing infected larvae and pupa at a fast rate.
Common symptoms of EFB include:
 Spotty brood pattern, whitish-yellow to brown larvae, curled upward or twisted
 Deflated larvae in the bottom of the cell with a defined tracheal system (usually greyish to brown in color with white
trachea)
 Sour or fish-like odors, or no odor at all
 Scale -usually from brown to black
How is it being Spread?
In Illinois, State Inspectors have identified cases to have been spread through purchase of used, infected woodenware equipment
including Nuc boxes, hive bodies, and frames. EFB has also been spread by purchases of infected Queens, Nucleus Colonies, and
Hives. In most cases, the seller was unaware of the presence of EFB. When purchasing used woodenware, live 5-frame nucs or
colonies, I strongly recommend doing so exclusively thru State inspected and certified apiaries.
Neglected, diseased hives which die out and are subsequently ransacked for their honey by robbing bees have also been identified as
sources for contamination.
How Can I Treat For EFB?
Any beekeeper suspecting EFB should call an Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) Apiary Inspector to identify the disease and
obtain guidance for treatment. Steve Chard’s number is 217-782-6297. Susan Kivikko is no longer our State Apiary Inspector.
There are a number of options for treating EFB. Several choices include:
1)
2)
3)
4)
Do nothing – not really an option…
Requeen Only;
Chemical (Antibiotic) + Requeen;
Chemical (Antibiotic) + Shook Swarm + Requeen.
A recent Journal of Invertebrate Pathology study which examined husbandry methods used to control EFB determined that hives
treated with Oxytetracycline (OTC), shaken into new or sterilized equipment (“shook swarm”) and dequeened, lowered disease
recurrence to 5%. The bacterium can stay contagious for years, and unless treated properly, EFB will come raging back again and
again.
The Illinois State Inspectors recommendations include:
1)
2)
3)
4)
USDA Laboratory Analysis for Confirmation of presence of EFB in the Apiary
Isolation / Quarantine of the Apiary
An approved antibiotic fed immediately, with continued use according to label direction.
The beekeeper perform shook swarm method after antibiotic treatment, shaking treated bees onto fresh foundation in
clean-disease free equipment.
5) The queen be destroyed and replaced within the duration of the treatment.
6) Re-Inspection to certify disease free and lift quarantine.
“Shook Swarm” is just a subtle way to say – dispose of your infected woodenware and shake the bees into a new, disinfected hive.
Regarding the infected hive equipment, hive bodies, bottom boards, inner covers, covers, etc. must be disinfected, while all frames
associated with the diseased colony should be burned. Methods of disinfection include boiling for 30 minutes in a concentrated bath
of lye, or radiation sterilization.
Many Illinois Beekeepers have been reporting best results treating EFB infected hives with Oxytetracycline, the antibiotic in the
product “Tetra B Mix” applying as a drench, rather than as a powdered sugar sprinkle. Follow the instructions on the label for the
dosage amount and mix Tetra B into a 50/50 sugar syrup. This medicine can then be applied by a drizzling over the top bars and bees
in all of the hive bodies. When administered this way as a drench, rather than a powder, the treatment poses no danger to the
brood nest, and it is safe to sprinkle this medicine anywhere in the hive. Whereas, when the treatment is applied in powdered form,
the powder can kill larva, and disrupt the queen’s laying pattern. Remember, antibiotic treatments can only be administered when
honey supers have been removed. If the honey flow is approaching, a last antibiotic treatment can be administered no less than 6
weeks before the honey supers are put on the hives.
If you choose to forgo the shook swarm technique and continue to use the old comb from the EFB infected hive, you will eventually
lose the hive. And, you are not fulfilling your obligation to the community of beekeepers by risking the spread of your diseased hives
to feral hives and your neighbors. Keep in mind: MP bacteria has a very high survival rate. Symptoms of hives treated by “Requeen
Only”, or “Chemical + Requeen” can disappear for a year or two, but after a stressful weather event, or dearth, the symptoms may
return. Some Illinois beekeepers have experienced the return of an EFB infection more virulent than the original infection and have
lost entire apiaries in a month’s time.
How Do I Obtain Antibiotics for my Hive in the post “Veterinary Feed Directive” World
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has new rules which go into effect January 1st, 207. As part of the new veterinary feed
directive (VFD), the FDA is limiting the distribution of medically important antibiotics in animal agriculture. The FDA considers honey
bees to be food-producing animals when regulating animal drugs, so the new rules apply to us.
In the past, with only a call to Dadant, or your favorite Bee Supply house, you could order Oxytetracycline via one of the products like
“Tetra B Mix.” Starting January 1st, you must now obtain a “VFD Order” from your local veterinarian which you would then present
to your Bee Supply house upon purchase.
At the ISBA meeting, Tim May, Vice President of the American Bee Keeping Federation (ABF), reported that based on letters and
conversation between the FDA and ABF, the FDA‘s intention is to make this “as easy as possible” for the beekeeper to obtain
treatments. A valid-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) must exist. If you have any pets, and you see a vet on a regular basis, then it is
likely you already have established this. The intention is that the beekeeper should be able to contact the vet, describe the observed
EFB symptoms, and receive the VFD Order from the vet. Costs associated with Vet consultations may vary. The CDBA is now working
to establish a list of “Bee-Friendly” Veterinarians.
As more information is made available from the State, the FDA, and from our local veterinarians, we will provide updates.
Enjoy the Holiday Season, may you have a productive winter, and a prosperous 2017 year ahead!
--Pete Soltesz
Mark your Calendar
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Weekends thru Dec. 31: Holiday Magic, Brookfield
Zoo
12/16: Gavin Coyle Celtic Christmas at McAninch
Arts Center, College of DuPage
12/17: The Nutcracker at McAninch Arts Center,
College of DuPage
Thru 1/2/17: Wonderland Express at Chicago
Botanic Garden
Thru 1/2/17: Illumination at Morton Arboretum
Thru 1/8/17: Christmas Around the World,
Museum of Science and Industry
Thru 1/8/17: Holiday Flower Show: Sky Forest,
Garfield Park Conservatory
Links:
Holiday Magic- Brookfield Zoo
Gavin Coyle- A Celtic Christmas
Nutcracker- College of DuPage
Wonderland Train Express
Illumination- Morton Arboretum
Christmas Around the World- Science and
Industry
Sky Forest- Garfield Park Conservatory
Winter Candy Board Recipe
Click here for a tried and true winter candy board recipe.
There are also instructions for building a candy board if
you don’t have one. The candy board should last about a
month.
Happy Holidays!
The CDBA Board of Directors would like to wish you and
your family joy and peace for the Holidays and throughout
the New Year.
Honey Spice Cookies
Prep Time: 10min; Serves 12
Ingredients:
 1 ½ sticks of butter
 1 cup brown sugar
 1/4 cup honey
 1 egg
 1/4 tsp ground cloves
 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
 1 tsp ground ginger
 1/2 tsp salt
 2 1/4 cups flour
 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Cream together brown sugar and butter.
3. Slowly add the Sue Bee Honey, then the egg; mix
well.
4. Sift dry ingredients together and add to the
creamed mixture.
5. Make sure the batter is mixed well then form balls
and dip in white sugar and place on greased cookie
sheet sugar side up.
6. Bake for 7 minutes.
CDBA Executive Board
Committee Chairs
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Director (2017)
Director (2017)
Director (TBD)
Membership
Webmaster
Newsletter Editors
Sergeant At Arms
Education
Hosts
Peter Soltesz
John Hansen
Jennifer Colandrea
John Hayse
Kim Kulton
Bill Whitney
Vacant
John Hayse
Neil Sexton
K.Kulton/J.Colandrea
Ed Borsuk
Omar Kamara
Mary&Tony Duchinsky
Note: There is no January meeting. Our next meeting is:
CDBA February Meeting, Saturday, February 18, 2016
Christ Lutheran Church of Clarendon Hills
Located at: 60 55th St. (At the northwest corner of Rte. 83(Kingery Hwy) and 55th St.)