Here is a report from our neighbors to the north (Canada for those who are directionally challenged) about winter loss of managed honey bee colonies during the winter of 2010-2011 (last winter). In Canada, there was a reported loss of 29.3%. In Ontario, our nearest neighbor and climatically similar to Michigan in many respects, the reported loss was 43.0%!
In the US, the early reports peg the winter loss at around 30%.
This reported mortality loss in Canada was greater than 2009-2010, but less than the three previous winters before that. A similar trend was seen in the US. Ontario had the highest reported loss of the provinces in Canada.
In Ontario, beekeepers reported mortality to occur because of ineffective Varroa control, Nosema levels, poor queens, weak colonies and poor weather conditions. Sound familiar?
The report also contains a discussion of which treatments were used in Ontario.
The full report can be read by clicking here.
