Nancy Ruppert presents …

It is becoming more and more obvious that varroa mites are becoming tougher and adapting to our mismanagement, especially our overdependence upon chemicals.  Experts are starting to suggest that our pathway to long-term success with varroa may have to involve short-term sacrifices.  Here in the USA we are sometimes short on patience and making sacrifices, but our current hive losses over the past few years in NC—30-40% of managed colonies each year, according to the Bee Informed Partnership (with at least 2/3 of those losses caused, directly or indirectly, by varroa), should tell us that our current “plan” is not working.  It’s time to get serious about varroa if we want to turn the tide.  This will be discussed at the January 2022 CCBA meeting, with a page full of useful resources, including

Nancy Ruppert, NCDA & CS Apiary Inspector, presented at the January 2022 CCBA General Meeting on IPM in varroa mite management. While beekeepers may be thinking, “Oh no, not varroa AGAIN!” Nancy presented new and updated information in a relatively uncomplicated way about how we can better manage the primary scourge in current apiaries, for long-term as well as short-term success.  As Nancy discusses, we have the tools; we just need to use them more effectively!

During Nancy’s 36 years as a health care professional—25 years as a registered nurse with humans and 11 years as an apiary inspector with bees and beekeepers—she’s always had a keen interest in infectious disease, preventive health, and minimizing stress, and is thankful that she’s been able to weave those principles into her daily work and into the presentations that she deliver.

Check out the Honey Bee Health Coalition for more information about safely and effectively treating in your apiary.