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AgriRecovery program for Alberta beekeepers

Alberta is Canada’s biggest honey-producing province and relies on bees as essential pollinators and as a steadily growing sector of the agriculture industry.

A partnership between the governments of Canada and Alberta will help beekeepers hit hard by extreme cold and varroa mites. Over the 2021-22 winter, Alberta’s beekeepers experienced high losses due to extreme cold weather and varroa mite infestations. Some reported losses were as high as 50%. 

The Canada-Alberta Bee Colony Replacement Assistance Initiative, an AgriRecovery program delivered by Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, will compensate eligible commercial beekeepers who purchased replacement colonies, bee packages or queens between January 1, 2022 and May 1, 2023.

Completed application forms and all supporting documents are due by July 31, 2023.

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Spider Mite Control with Predatory Mites (Neoseiulus californicus)

Video: Spider Mite Control with Predatory Mites (Neoseiulus californicus)

The predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus is an effective natural enemy of various species of spider mites, including the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae). As a key player in biological pest control, this predator helps growers protect their crops sustainably.

How does Neoseiulus californicus work?

•Specializes in targeting the larval and nymphal stages of spider mites.

•Also consumes spider mite eggs, ensuring population control.

•Detects prey through webbing and leaf damage rather than sight.

•Feeds by sucking out the contents of its prey.

Why use Neoseiulus californicus for spider mite control?

•Highly adaptable to different environments, including warm and dry conditions.

•Works as both a preventive and curative solution for spider mite infestations.

•Complements other predatory mites, such as Phytoseiulus persimilis, for integrated pest management (IPM).

•A natural, sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides.