Helpful Apiary Links

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Swarm Removal Services

Wisconsin Honey Producers Association Member Services, category search "swarm removal"
Bee Removal Source - Wisconsin
Wasp and Bee Removal - Bee Lab - University of Min​nesota

Bee Identification
Wisconsin Bee Identification Guide – Wisconsin Horticulture
Bee Identification – Wisconsin Pollinators – UW–Madison
Bumble Bees of Wisconsin – Online guide, information, and ongoing research – UW–Madison
FieldGuide – Bumble Bee Brigade – WI DNR
Resources – Bumble Bee Brigade – WI DNR
Bee ID – Bee Lab – University of Minnesota


DATCP
BeeCheckTM (DriftWatchTM)
A voluntary communication tool that enables beekeepers and pesticide applicators to work together to protect apiaries through use of the BeeCheckTM mapping program. While state-level honey bee hive registration or licensing is not required in the State of Wisconsin, those importing honey bees or used beekeeping equipment into Wisconsin have a separate reporting requirement. A Wisconsin BeeCheckTM registration is not a substitute for the Wisconsin importation requirement. Beekeepers should check their county and local municipality for any applicable beekeeping ordinances.

Using AmiFlex® for Varroa Mites on Honey Bees 

A DATCP fact sheet for Wisconsin beekeepers who plan to apply (or hire an applicator to apply) AmiFlex®, a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) for use on honey bees.

DATCP Pesticide Misuse Complaints
If you suspect problems due to pesticide misuse, contact DATCP via the phone or email address listed on this webpage and provide the requested information.

DATCP Selling Honey in Wisconsin
Provides information and links to other DATCP programs relating to food safety, grading, and labeling laws. 

DATCP Pest Survey Bulletin
Provides current information about plant pests and diseases, plus other insect-related information. Sign up for the Field Notes News e-newsletter


Honey Bee Health
EPA Integrated Pest Management (IPM) webinars
Free, on-demand webinars hosted by experts who relay educational and practical strategies for establishing and improving IPM programs.

Protecting Honey Bees: Integrated Pest Management for Varroa Mites
Varroa mites are widespread, feed on honey bees, and spread viruses. If left unchecked and unmanaged, these mites can lead to colony loss. 

Honey Bee Health Coalition​
Almost 40 organizations and agencies from across food, agriculture, government, and conservation formed this Coalition with the goal of reversing recent declines in honey bee health and ensuring the long-term health of honey bees and other pollinators. Their website provides excellent resources on Varroa mite managem​ent​, d

A national collaboration/ non-profit trying better understand honey bee declines in the United States by using beekeepers' real-world experiences through a variety of services. Some BIP services include a number of services geared towards commercial/ sideliner beekeepers, their sentinel apiary program, and their annual Loss and Management Survey. The BIP also hosts the data from their annual survey and research and the data from the USDA-APHIS National Honey Bee Survey (NHBS). 

National Honey Bee Survey (NHBS)
NHBS is a comprehensive examination of colony health throughout apiaries in the United States. The NHBS, run in conjunction with the BIP and the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), with support from the Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA). NHBS data on honey bee health is available to the public and hosted by the BIP.

Honey Bee Veterinary Consortium
Starting in January 2017, antibiotics for honey bees require a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Order or a prescription from a veterinarian. Find a Veterinarian here.

Honey Bee Diagnostic Labs Directory - Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA)
The AIA organization provides a list of honey bee diagnostic labs in the U.S. and Canada.

PennState Extension - Beekeeping content
Provides articles, guides, and on online course, and more.

University of Florida - Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab
Provides online courses for beekeepers, scientific research, an engaging and informative podcast (Two Bees in a Podcast), and more.

University of Minnesota Bee Lab
Provides beekeeping courses, a how-to video series, research database, and more.​


Organizations 
Wisconsin Honey Producers Association
Organized in 1864 by Wisconsin beekeepers. The association links commercial and hobby honey producers as well as promoting the use of honey and hive products and supporting scientific research related to beekeeping and honey production.

National Honey Board
The Board conducts research, advertising, and promotions to help maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets for honey.​

American Honey Producers Association
Dedicated to promoting the common interests and general welfare of the American honey producer. Newsletter, convention, producer information.

American Beekeeping Federation
A national association that acts on behalf of the beekeeping industry. Newsletter, convention, American Honey Queen program.

Apiary Inspection Services of North America (AIA)​
An international non-profit organization established with a mission to promote sustainable and healthy honey beekeeping conditions in North America mainly through the detection, mitigation and ultimate suppression of bee pests, parasites, and pathogens. Members of the organization consist of state and provincial apiarists or apiary inspectors along with associated collaborators from other regulatory, academic or research-based institution​s.

The AIA website (apiaryinspectors.org) provides a directory of regulatory apiary inspection services in the U.S. and Canada, a list of honey bee diagnostic labs, and more.

Mid-Atlantic Apiculture Research and Extension Consortium (MAAREC)
MAAREC is a regional group focused on addressing the pest management crisis facing the beekeeping industry in the Mid-Atlantic Region, but their research and information may be beneficial to all beekeepers.

The Xerxes Society​
International, nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. Wisconsin-specific resources include their Pollinator Conservation Resources for the Great Lakes Region.

Pollinator Partnership
​The largest non-profit organization in the world dedicated exclusively to the protection and promotion of pollinators and their ecosystems.​​ Their Midwest Region Pollinator Planting Card is applicable to Wisconsin. Their Laurentian Region planting guide is applicable to Northern Wisconsin. Their Eastern Broadleaf Forest, Continental planting guide is applicable to Southern Wisconsin. Their Prairie Parkland planting guide is only applicable in Green County, in a part of Southern Wisconsin.