Marin County, California Beekeeping Club 2009 Bee Census

Results (from responses received as of 4/30/09)

 

46 people participated (answering at least minimum required questions) 

1) Of these:

1) 30 are part of Marin Beekeepers

2) 41 are from Marin

3) Remaining 5 from: 

a.  1 San Joaquin Cnty

b.   2 Sonoma Cnty

c.   1 Napa Cnty

d.   1 SF Cnty

 

Experience level:

1)  5 started in the 1970Ős  (11%)

2)  6 started in 1980Ős  (13%)

3)  4 started in 1990Ős  (9%)

4)  2 declined to state

5)  29 started 2000 – present  (63%) 

      (#10 started in 2008 - 22%)

 

The numbers:

1)  Responses represented 351 hives

a.  Total hives lost = 136

b.  % total lost = 39% (+/- 2%)   (Marin only = 40% loss (+/- 2.5%)

i.  First year keepers experienced loss of 34.5% +/- 1.5%  (#12 or 26% of respondents)

ii.  Marin keepers with 10+ years experience had loss rates of 40% +/- 2%

iii.  Of those reporting type of lost hive:

1.  Season lost:

a.  49% Oct – Dec

b.  28% Jan – Mar

c.   9% Apr – June

d.  9% Unknown when

e.  6% July – Sept

2.  Type of hive lost:

a.  44% 2008 swarm

b.  27% 2008 package

c.  11% 2007 or prior swarm

d.  8% 2007 or prior package

e.   6% 2008 hive from local beekeeper

f.   3% 2008 hive splits

g.  2% 2008 nuc

 

2)  Treatments Used in Hives:

a.  43% (#20) reported using no treatments in the hives

b.  30% (#14) reported using powdered sugar  (for 8 of these responses (17% of total), this was the only treatment used)

c.  13% (#6) used grease patties  (for 2 of these responses (4% of total), this was the only treatment used.)

d.  13% (#6) used at least one of the following:

i.      Apiguard (#2)

ii.      Apistan (#1)

iii.      Essential oils (#2)

v.      Fumagilin-B (#2)

vi.      Fumidil (#2)

vii.      Terramycin (#1)

viii.      Peppermint (#1)

e.  6.5% (#3) did not fill this section out.

 

3)  76% (#35) used screened bottom boards, of which:

a.  49% (#17) left them open during winter

b.   37% (#13) closed them during winter

c.   14% (#5) reported both opening and closing during winter

 

4)  Requeening:

a.  70% (#32) do not requeen

b.  13% (#6) requeen, but timing varies

c.   6% (#3) requeen every other year

d.  11% (#5) did not respond

 

      Bee types (respondents could select multiple choices):

                        #28  Italian

                        #14 unknown

                        #12 Carniolan

                        #4 Russian

                        #1 Caucasian

 

      Queen types  (respondents could select multiple choices):

                        #19 unknown

                        #19 Italian

                        #8 Carniolan

                        #2 Yugo

                        #1 Caucasian

                        #1 MN Hygenic

 

      Queen sources:  in addition to package, swarms and allowing hive to create own queen/feral mating, there were 13 other sources for bees/queens noted.

 

      Feeding and supplements were used (respondents could select multiple choices):

                        #28 Sugar (sucrose)

                        #7 Pollen patty

                        #6 Honey

                        #4 Honey-B Healthy

                        #1 Pollen substitute

                        #5 No Response

 

      Identifiable pests & diseases (respondents could select multiple choices):

                        #27 Varroa mites

                        #22 Ants

                        #11 Wax moths

                        #4 Deformed Wing Virus

                        #3 Nosema

                        #1 Tracheal mites

                        #1 American Foulbrood

                        #6 No response