by Mike Hansen, Michigan Department of Agriculture
Michigan Beekeepers moving bees to California for Almond Pollination need to be aware of two critical issues when loading their honeybees.
Ants: California has a requirement that shipments entering the state be free of ants. They are most concerned about the risk of importing Red Imported Fire Ant that occurs in the southern states of the US. Most of you are aware that MDARD will assist by conducting the sampling necessary to provide a certificate of freedom from ants. This is not required, but rather a voluntary step that should prevent your trucks from long delays at the California Border Stations. Inspections must be conducted within 7 days of shipment. For those of you who have already moved bees south, you will need to contact the state apiarist in the state where your bees are located to get this inspection done. It is possible to take a truck to California and have the inspection done at the border station. If you would prefer to have an inspection conducted here in Michigan, please contact by e-mail or at the phone number listed below.
Note that the California protocol calls for the bees to be inspected when on a tarp, concrete or other impervious surface so that the colonies do not become infested following an inspection. We have received permission to conduct the inspection on frozen ground. However when we do that, the beekeeper must be responsible for removing any soil or weeds that get picked up when the hives are loaded.
Weeds: In the Voluntary Ant Certification protocol, the California Department of Food and Agriculture is clear that they expect your shipments to be thoroughly brushed or power washed to remove all soil, debris and weeds from the shipment. CDFA officials will inspect your truck at the border and will reject a truck if they find an excessive amount of weeds, and especially if they identify viable seed heads of weeds such as the spotted and diffuse knapweed (“star thistleâ€) that we find here in Michigan. If your truck is rejected, you will have to take the truck out of California and find a way to thoroughly clean the load before attempting to enter again. The beekeeper needs to take the time to clean all of your colonies before you load your truck to prevent the movement of weed species to California. Always remember that the definition of a weed for shipments to California is determined by the state of California.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture developed these procedures to expedite the safe movement of honeybees into California to meet pollination needs and to ensure that through honey bee movements fire ants and noxious weeds do not become problems in their state. If you have a truck rejected at the California Border you will need to take the truck out of California and make arrangements to clean up the load before attempting to cross the border again. Taking the time necessary to thoroughly clean your colonies when you load your trucks will go a long way to preventing unwanted expenses later.
Since I do not have a complete list of migratory beekeepers I hope you will share this reminder with beekeepers that you know.
Mike
Attachments:
California Voluntary Ant Certification Protocol for Out-of-State Bee Shipments
Best Management Practices for Control of Imported Fire Ants
Requirements and Suggestions for Honeybee Shipments Entering California
