The Utah Apiary Program conducts inspections of managed hives to identify disease and pest issues. These inspections are designed to monitor for exotic pests and suppress endemic honey bee maladies.
How to request inspections
Beekeepers have the option to request inspections from either a county bee inspector or a state inspector. In counties where a dedicated county inspector is not available, beekeepers should contact a state inspector.
Costs and scheduling information
There are no charges for health certification, testing services, or inspections for registered beekeepers. To schedule an inspection, individuals may contact a county or state inspector.
Monitoring major bee diseases
The program monitors for significant threats such as American Foulbrood (AFB) and European Foulbrood (EFB). AFB is considered highly contagious and can lead to the death of infected colonies, with symptoms including a spotty brood pattern, black scale, and ropey dead larvae.
Managing mites and larvae issues
While EFB is generally less serious than AFB, it can cause larvae to turn light brown or die before being capped. Additionally, Varroa mites represent a major challenge for honey bees in Utah. The program recommends that beekeepers sample apiaries at least once a month during the season, as mite levels exceeding 2% may require treatment.
Available resources and contact info
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food provides various resources for beekeepers, including registration through AIMS. State Apiary Inspectors Jenna Crowder and Joey Caputo are available to assist with inspections and diagnostic entomology needs.
