CAPA statement on honey bee wintering losses in Canada (2019)

The Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA) coordinated the annual honey
bee wintering loss report for 2018-2019. As in previous years, the survey consisted of
harmonized questions based on the national beekeeping industry and the Provincial
Apiculturists collected the survey data. All provinces were included in the national survey. The
respondents operated 398,728 honey bee colonies across Canada. This represents 50% of all
colonies operated and wintered in the country in 2018-2019. The national winter loss, including
non-viable bee colonies was 25.7% with provincial losses ranging from 19.8% to 54.1%. The
overall national colony loss reported in 2019 is in the middle range of reported losses since
2007. Through the hard work of beekeepers replacing loses and making increases, Statistics
Canada reports show that the total colony count has increased by 35.2% during the period
between 2007 and 2018.

Respondents reported some variation in identifying and ranking the top four possible causes of
colony losses across the country. The most frequently cited causes in order from high to low
were: weather, starvation, poor queens, and weak colonies in the fall.

Beekeepers also responded to questions on the management of three serious parasites and
pathogens to beekeeping: Varroa mites, Nosema spp. and Peanibacillus larvae (the causal
bacteria of American foulbrood disease). The majority of beekeepers in most provinces
reported that they monitored for Varroa mites. The most commonly reported Varroa
treatments were Apivar® and formic acid (Mite Away Quick Strip® (MAQS), repeated 40 ml of
65% formic acid treatments or flash treatments) in spring, Apivar® or formic acid (MAQS or
flash treatments) in the summer or fall and oxalic acid in late fall. Many beekeepers reported
using spring and fall applications of Apivar® or Apivar® plus formic or oxalic acid to keep mites
under control in 2018. Nosemosis and American foulbrood were treated by many Canadian
beekeepers. Across the country registered antibiotics were the commonly used treatments; but
methods and timing of application varied from province to province.

Provincial Apiculturists, Tech-transfer agents and researchers have been working with
beekeepers across Canada to encourage them to monitor honey bee pests, especially Varroa
mites and nosema, and adopt recommended integrated pest management practices to keep
these pests under control. Through various working groups, that include various stakeholders,
CAPA members continue to work on development and improving management options for
beekeepers to keep healthy bees. CAPA members are also actively involved in the Federal Bee
Health Roundtable to develop strategies that work toward addressing risks and opportunities
for developing a sustainable, healthy beekeeping industry.