Varroa Mite IPM: Four-Part Series for a Healthy Hive in 2020
Kim Skyrm, Apiary Program Coordinator/Apiarist, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
Jen Lund, Apiarist, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
- Part 1: Varroa mite biology and life history (Recorded Mar. 9, 2020)
- Part 2: Varroa mite IPM and sampling (Recorded Mar. 23, 2020)
- Part 3: Varroa mite management tools (Recorded Apr. 6, 2020)
- Part 4: Varroa Mite IPM: Creating your own IPM plan (Recorded Apr. 20, 2020)
- View Q&A
Kim Skyrm, Apiary Program Coordinator/Apiarist, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
Jen Lund, Apiarist, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Description
They’re back by popular demand! Kim and Jen dive deeper into managing the most detrimental pest affecting honey bees, varroa mites (Varroa destructor). Join them in this multiple part webinar series where they will discuss the varroa mite biology and life history, available and effective mite management tools, how to create a dynamic varroa mite IPM plan, and a demonstration on the steps involved in performing an alcohol wash in the field including tips to make sure you get an accurate count. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and get real live support needed to jump start your thinking and planning for mite management this season. These presentations will be tailored to current and future beekeepers, but others with interest in honey bee health are also encouraged to attend! Join Kim and Jen and let’s FIGHT THE MITE!
About the Presenters
Dr. Kim Skyrm has been the Chief Apiary Inspector and Apiary Program Coordinator at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources since August 2015. Prior to this appointment, Kim was a Post Doctoral Researcher at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst working with bumble bees and cranberry pollination. Kim has been working with native and managed bees, beekeepers, and farmers for the past 12 years through outreach education, research, and extension type projects. Kim is truly passionate about apiculture and ensuring the viability and sustainability of bee populations!
Jennifer Lund has a Master’s degree in Entomology from the University of Maine and has over 20 years of entomological experience. Before becoming the Maine State Apiarist in 2016, Jen was a research technician in the entomology department at the University of Maine in Orono (UMO). While at UMO, Jen worked on many honey bee projects including a national colony collapse disorder study, honey bee colony health comparisons of top bar and Langstroth hives, integrated varroa mite control effectiveness, the role of honey bees as vectors of blueberry disease, sub-lethal effects on colonies to low-level pesticide exposure, and health of migratory hives arriving in the State of Maine for blueberry pollination. Jen is passionate about honey bee health and helping beekeepers succeed. Aside from managing the honey bee inspection program and helping Maine beekeepers protect their hives, Jennifer also has several of her own hives that she maintains on her farm in Maine.