THE BEE BOX
28
Almond Facts
JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2016
bees. Research conducted by Project Apis m. has led to the
discovery of new viruses (Lake Sinai Viruses) and to more
virulent strains of known viruses (Deformed Wing Virus).
While beekeepers are managing for winter and summer
colony losses, Varroa mite infestations and the Varroa/
virus complex, almond growers can do their part to
insure strong healthy colonies for almond pollination.
Remember, just like next year’s almond crop and fruiting
wood has a lot to do with this year’s precipitation and
irrigation, next year’s bees are dependent on this year’s
bee health. You can protect this year’s bees and next
year’s bee supply by protecting bees at bloom -- spray
fungicides in the late afternoon and night and avoid using
insecticides, especially Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs)
during bloom. Never spray directly at a hive. Watch tank
mixes as they can have a synergistic effect and increase the
toxicity of compounds to the various life stages of the bee.
Providing clean water is important for bees too.
Finally, work with your beekeeper on proper timing in
removing bees from your orchard. Guidelines suggest
removal of honey bees when 90 percent of the flowers
on the latest-blooming variety are at petal fall. After
this point, fertilization of the flower is not taking place,
bee activity in the orchard diminishes and remaining
bee flights are concentrating mainly on nectar foraging.
Chances of pesticide-related harm from other crops
increase at this time.
Honey bees are a valuable input to your orchard operation
and vital to your crop yield. Beekeepers are doing their
best to bring almond growers high-quality colonies
this pollination season. Their success is your success.
Understanding their health issues, communicating with
your beekeeper, and protecting them in your orchard will
yield valuable dividends this year and in subsequent years.
Here’s to a successful almond pollination season!
Fabiana Ahumada,
working out of the
Tucson Bee Lab, has
developed Hopguard
II, a mite control
product based upon
ingredients from hops.
Almond bloom is a critical time of year for both beekeeper
and almond grower. Understanding bee health concerns,
communicating with your beekeeper and protecting bees in
the orchard all serve to assist proper pollination this year and
contribute to strong colonies next year.
