We came home with a thick file of handouts and notes, plus our draw-prize: a drone-comb plastic deep frame for varroa control. Memorably, during a quiz at the end of the day, our instructor rewarded each correct answer by fast-pitching suckers, and the JBeek proved adept at both answering and catching.
Summary: the varroa mite is the main threat; if these are controlled, the hives are more resistant to the other main problems: 1. American Foulbrood (AFB), a bacteria affecting brood; 2. European Foulbood (EFB), a bacteria affecting brood; 3. Chalkbrood, a fungus affecting brood; 4. Sacbrood, a virus affecting brood; 5. Honey Bee Tracheal Mites (HBTM), a mite; 6. Nosema disease--(a) apis and (b) ceranae--caused by microsporidians; and (7) wax moth.
We learned about "soft" treatments, for example, screen bottom boards for varroa (mites fall through and can't get back up into the hive)--and the wider element in the bottom board goes at the bottom (one of our boards is upside down--we must change this, next chance we have); place drone-comb in the hive, remove and replace every 30 days. And, we learned about "hard" treatments.
NB: On 10 July at Ancaster's fairgrounds, OBA and the Golden Horseshoe Beekeepers' Association are co-hosting the OBA's summer meeting.
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