Wow - talk about being on the map! So proud of TBA!
Yesterday, July 23rd, three young technicians (Maddie DeFuniak, Leah Swanson, and Jordan Donaghy) from the Oregon Department of Agriculture – Insect Pest Prevention Management Office dropped by our Apiary and took samples of our bees for the 2024 National Honey Bee Survey.
They opened up 8 colonies and did a visual inspection for brood diseases. They then picked out one frame from each of the 8 colonies with capped and uncapped brood. They then collected 1/2 cup of adult bees from that one frame. Half of their samples were drowned in alcohol and the other half will be frozen for the study. They will then be tested in their lab and all data will be added to the overall national test results.
We should get the results back on what pests and diseases were found in about 6 months. The purpose of the survey is to get a glimpse of honey bee health across the nation, and since the results will not be available for about 6 month, they really can’t be used to help with management decisions right away.
Should be good data none the less.