QUARANTINE AREA IN THE PEACE RIVER REGION ESTABLISHED FOR SMALL HIVE BEETLE
Posted: July 20th, 2017, 2:47 pm
QUARANTINE AREA IN THE PEACE RIVER REGION ESTABLISHED FOR SMALL
HIVE BEETLE FOUND IN HONEY BEE COLONIES
Medhat Nasr, PhD.
Provincial Apiculturist
Crop Diversification Centre North
17507 Fort Rd, NW
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5Y 6H3
Office Phone: 780-415-2314, Cell Phone: 780-554-1566
email: medhat.nasr@gov.ab.ca.
On July 19, 2017, Alberta has established a quarantine area in the Peace River region where small hive
beetle was detected in a beekeeping operation during an inspection. The pest has been linked to honey
colonies that were imported from Ontario without the required permit.
The quarantined area in northern Alberta includes northern Big Lakes County, the southern area of
Northern Sunrise County, and the eastern parts of the Municipal District of Smoky River and the
Municipal District of Greenview. For details, please check Appendix 1 and 2.
This quarantine has been put in place as a proactive measure to help prevent the spread of the beetle
while an Agriculture and Forestry inspection team investigates to determine the level of infestation
and actions are taken to deal with the detected pests including using traps to remove beetle from
affected hives.
A total of 15 beekeeping operations within the 15 km flight radius of this pest are located within the
quarantined area. While these beekeepers will not be able to move or sell honey bee colonies, bee
nuclei and package bees out of the quarantine area for the duration of the quarantine, they can continue
with their day-to-day operations and can continue sell honey as usual. Any bee colonies moved into
the quarantine area during this period will be subject to the same restrictions
The quarantine will initially be in place for 45 days, and could be lifted if two consecutive inspections
of bees in the quarantine area show that hives are free of small hive beetle. The quarantine period
could also be extended if necessary.
The small hive beetle is a predator and scavenger of honey bees and their colonies. In significant
quantities, the beetle can cause problems in bee colonies and honey extraction by damaging combs and
wax capping, which can spoil honey. The beetle can spread through the movement of honey bee
colonies and equipment.
As an emerging pest, the small hive beetle is an immediately notifiable pest under the Federal Animal
Health Act, and as a listed pest under the Alberta Bee Act and Regulations. To date, the beetle has not
been found in Alberta since 2006 when an accidental introduction from imported package bees from
Australia was reported. Agriculture and Forestry was able to eradicate it by the following spring.
Agriculture and Forestry staff will continue to work with affected beekeepers, the beekeeping industry
and other stakeholders to manage this pest. The current risk remains low for most Alberta beekeepers
if they are following the provincial regulations and best management practices.
This incident is a good reminder for all beekeepers to be vigilant to prevent the establishment and
spread of this pest in Alberta. Best management practices include:
Importing or moving bees through the proper channels and with appropriate health
certification and permits from the Provincial Apiculturist.
Understanding details of the small hive beetle’s lifecycle and recognizing larvae and adult
beetles.
Being vigilant and looking out for the small hive beetle whenever examining bee colonies as a
part of routine management. Early detection means beekeepers are more likely to be
successful in controlling the pest.
Good apiary management practices including maintaining strong colonies, good hygiene
practices, and changing extraction and honey handling procedures to protect honey from
fermentation and becoming rotten.
Any suspected findings of the small hive beetle must be reported immediately to the
Provincial Apiculturist.
Any questions related to small hive beetle and its management in Alberta can be directed to Medhat
Nasr, PhD., Provincial Apiculturist: Office Phone: 780-415-2314, Cell Phone: 780-554-1566, email:
medhat.nasr@gov.ab.ca.
Links and resources:
Alberta Apiculture Home Page
Recommendations for Management of Honey Bee Diseases and Pests in Alberta
Canadian Honey Bee Producer Guide to the National Bee Farm-level Biosecurity Standard
The small hive beetle (a UK National Bee Unit Publication)
Appendix 1. Map of townships of the "Quarantine Area" where confirmed finding of the Small
Hive Beetle (SHB) and the surrounding area at high risk of spreading SHB in Alberta. Map of
the “Quarantine Area” boundaries. The boundaries are: (a) South East corner Township 73-10-
W5, (b) North East corner Township 81-10-W5, (c) South West corner Township 73-20-W5,
and (5) North West corner Township 81-20-W5.
Appendix 2. Alberta map of the "Quarantine Area" where confirmed finding of the Small Hive Beetle (SHB) and the surrounding area at high risk of spreading SHB in Alberta.
See attached file:
HIVE BEETLE FOUND IN HONEY BEE COLONIES
Medhat Nasr, PhD.
Provincial Apiculturist
Crop Diversification Centre North
17507 Fort Rd, NW
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5Y 6H3
Office Phone: 780-415-2314, Cell Phone: 780-554-1566
email: medhat.nasr@gov.ab.ca.
On July 19, 2017, Alberta has established a quarantine area in the Peace River region where small hive
beetle was detected in a beekeeping operation during an inspection. The pest has been linked to honey
colonies that were imported from Ontario without the required permit.
The quarantined area in northern Alberta includes northern Big Lakes County, the southern area of
Northern Sunrise County, and the eastern parts of the Municipal District of Smoky River and the
Municipal District of Greenview. For details, please check Appendix 1 and 2.
This quarantine has been put in place as a proactive measure to help prevent the spread of the beetle
while an Agriculture and Forestry inspection team investigates to determine the level of infestation
and actions are taken to deal with the detected pests including using traps to remove beetle from
affected hives.
A total of 15 beekeeping operations within the 15 km flight radius of this pest are located within the
quarantined area. While these beekeepers will not be able to move or sell honey bee colonies, bee
nuclei and package bees out of the quarantine area for the duration of the quarantine, they can continue
with their day-to-day operations and can continue sell honey as usual. Any bee colonies moved into
the quarantine area during this period will be subject to the same restrictions
The quarantine will initially be in place for 45 days, and could be lifted if two consecutive inspections
of bees in the quarantine area show that hives are free of small hive beetle. The quarantine period
could also be extended if necessary.
The small hive beetle is a predator and scavenger of honey bees and their colonies. In significant
quantities, the beetle can cause problems in bee colonies and honey extraction by damaging combs and
wax capping, which can spoil honey. The beetle can spread through the movement of honey bee
colonies and equipment.
As an emerging pest, the small hive beetle is an immediately notifiable pest under the Federal Animal
Health Act, and as a listed pest under the Alberta Bee Act and Regulations. To date, the beetle has not
been found in Alberta since 2006 when an accidental introduction from imported package bees from
Australia was reported. Agriculture and Forestry was able to eradicate it by the following spring.
Agriculture and Forestry staff will continue to work with affected beekeepers, the beekeeping industry
and other stakeholders to manage this pest. The current risk remains low for most Alberta beekeepers
if they are following the provincial regulations and best management practices.
This incident is a good reminder for all beekeepers to be vigilant to prevent the establishment and
spread of this pest in Alberta. Best management practices include:
Importing or moving bees through the proper channels and with appropriate health
certification and permits from the Provincial Apiculturist.
Understanding details of the small hive beetle’s lifecycle and recognizing larvae and adult
beetles.
Being vigilant and looking out for the small hive beetle whenever examining bee colonies as a
part of routine management. Early detection means beekeepers are more likely to be
successful in controlling the pest.
Good apiary management practices including maintaining strong colonies, good hygiene
practices, and changing extraction and honey handling procedures to protect honey from
fermentation and becoming rotten.
Any suspected findings of the small hive beetle must be reported immediately to the
Provincial Apiculturist.
Any questions related to small hive beetle and its management in Alberta can be directed to Medhat
Nasr, PhD., Provincial Apiculturist: Office Phone: 780-415-2314, Cell Phone: 780-554-1566, email:
medhat.nasr@gov.ab.ca.
Links and resources:
Alberta Apiculture Home Page
Recommendations for Management of Honey Bee Diseases and Pests in Alberta
Canadian Honey Bee Producer Guide to the National Bee Farm-level Biosecurity Standard
The small hive beetle (a UK National Bee Unit Publication)
Appendix 1. Map of townships of the "Quarantine Area" where confirmed finding of the Small
Hive Beetle (SHB) and the surrounding area at high risk of spreading SHB in Alberta. Map of
the “Quarantine Area” boundaries. The boundaries are: (a) South East corner Township 73-10-
W5, (b) North East corner Township 81-10-W5, (c) South West corner Township 73-20-W5,
and (5) North West corner Township 81-20-W5.
Appendix 2. Alberta map of the "Quarantine Area" where confirmed finding of the Small Hive Beetle (SHB) and the surrounding area at high risk of spreading SHB in Alberta.
See attached file: