04-19-2017, 02:56 AM
quote:
Also, it's worth pointing out that this disease was already found here back in the 1900s, so its appearance now may well be the result of that long dormancy period rather than a new introduction. Also, while it is a problem, it's not epidemic like Varroa mites - AFB is present all over the mainland as well.
We have 34 hives on our property maintained by Hawaii Island Honey Company. I asked the owner a couple months ago how they were fairing with the mites. He was very upbeat about a simple low tech hive alteration that forced the mites to walk through a death trap of some sort that didn't affect the bees at all. Overall, he stated their hives were booming.
I'm very happy that the mite death of all bees and pollination collapse of civilization never happened. Hope AFB will also be dealt with effectively, though it sounds like a different beast, so to speak.
Cheers,
Kirt