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9-20-2006 |
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DRY WEATHER LEAVES STATE'S HONEYBEES HUNGRY Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass is warning the state’s beekeepers to begin emergency feeding for their bees because the dry weather the state experienced this summer has caused a shortage of natural nectar. “Although the worst of the dry weather came late enough in the season to spare the agricultural community the worst drought effects, the state’s honeybees have not fared as well,” said Commissioner Douglass. “If beekeepers are seeing problems with their bees, the first thing they should do is make sure they provide enough food to sustain all their hives.” State Apiarist George Clutter said he has seen an unusual amount of starvation throughout the state. “We’ve been inundated with calls from people wondering if their bees have some kind of disease, but the vast majority of these cases are simply starvation,” said Clutter. “And what’s unusual is that we’re seeing it throughout the state, from border to border.” Incidence of disease and parasitic mites has actually been quite low, Clutter added. Recent rainfall has been “too little, too late” to revive nectar sources. The result will be a poor year for local honey production, but at this point, Clutter is more concerned with protecting the state’s population of honeybees. “The bees have not made enough honey to feed themselves, much less produce a surplus for human consumption. I expect heavy losses unless they [beekeepers] do some emergency feeding,” he said. He recommended that beekeepers set out feeders stocked with corn syrup or invert sugar (sugar and water mixture) if each colony does not have at least 50-70 pounds of stores for winter. The current crisis won’t affect the previously scheduled honey event set for Saturday afternoon, September 23, at Capitol Market in Charleston. Local beekeepers will have honey for sale that was produced this spring. Attractions will include bee beards, an observation hive, honey judging, a bee photography contest and a honey cooking contest. Prizes will include ribbons and gift certificates to the Market. For more information, contact George Clutter at 304-257-0251, Apiary Specialist Paul Poling at 304-257-0252 or Apiary Specialist Wade Stiltner at 304-550-0589. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.
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