APIS Volume 10, Number 8, August 1992
In this issue
- Crisis Communications
- Firefighters and Stinging Incidents
- More on Extender Patties for AFB Control
- Varroa Research Results
- National Honey Board PRIDE Program
CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS
The highlight of this year's Beekeepers Institute was a presentation by Mr. Michael O'Hara, Communications and Education Division Director, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, on crisis communications. Using a video camera and sham interviews, Mr. O'Hara was able to clearly demonstrate the value of this kind of training, especially with reference to the African honey bee (AHB). The highlights of Mr. O'Hara's observations were:
- Individual Rights -- No one from the press has the right to violate your individual rights.
- Honesty -- Never mislead or lie to a reporter. If the situation is under litigation, say this is so; if there is a question about profits, dollars or proprietary information, you can defer/refuse answering based on not informing competitors in the marketplace.
- Buzz Words -- Never repeat an expression or inflammatory statement made by a reporter. As an example, if you are asked to what do you attribute this catastrophe, do not repeat the word "catastrophe." It then becomes attributable to you and you alone; you will "own" it.
- Hostility -- Never get angry; keep cool and remember the reporter always has the last word.
- Off the Record -- There is no such thing; if you don't want it reported, don't say it.
- Estimates -- Never make numerical estimates in time or dollars. Say that the incident is under investigation and you will provide accurate information when it becomes available.
- Reporter Verification -- Ask for identification, the purpose of a reporter's activities, media affiliation and telephone number.
- Bridging -- Try to bridge the gap between a reporter's wish to be negative and providing a positive statement about your activity.
- Statistics -- If you are not aware of statistics provided by a reporter, say so and ask for them in writing before commenting.
- Deadlines -- All reporters are on deadlines, but you are not. Take all the time necessary to avoid hasty comments. The fact that a microphone is stuck in your face doesn't mean you have to say something. Dead air time is not likely to appear on television.
Finally, it is best to have a communications plan in place and persons trained in this area. Defer all questions to one or two designated (and trained) persons to avoid conflicting information. An offensively oriented public relations/communications plan is the best defense against sensationalistic reporting based on negativism.
FIRE FIGHTERS AND STINGING INCIDENTS
Several of Mr. O'Hara's interviews noted above indicated that beekeepers and others could/should work with 911 emergency services and/or fire-rescue units as part of their public relations/communications plan. According to an article entitled "Conducting a Honey Bee Emergency Demonstration," in the July 1992 issue of Gleanings in Bee Culture, fire fighters will more than likely be called in emergency situations with bees. Unfortunately, according to an accompanying piece ("Subduing Stinging Insects," by Eric Erickson and John Estes) in the same issue, "Most fire departments do not provide their personnel with training or specialized equipment needed to hand large populations of stinging insects." The A.I. Root Company now offers a video directed to training firefighters; see the catalog for details on ordering.
Thus, two scenarios are possible: (1) a major incident that cannot be quickly controlled, lives lost, rescue personnel injured and lawsuits filed or (2) the situation is controlled, no lives lost or lawsuits enjoined. The folks at Gleanings believe the latter is preferable and suggest that beekeepers take a proactive stance in contacting their local fire departments.
Recently, I have done just that by sending a letter to both the City of Gainesville and Alachua County fire chiefs. The Dean here at the University suggested I send the same letter to chiefs in the major cities. However, there is no way I can send the same information to all fire departments (volunteer and otherwise) throughout the state. So, I am printing an edited version here in the hope that interested parties might take it upon themselves to contact their local department:
Dear Chief:
Enclosed please find an article reprinted from the beekeeping journal called Gleanings in Bee Culture. Although there is expected to be variation in municipal response to the presence of the bee, it is not too soon to begin planning for the insect's eventual arrival. Information from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas reveals that public knowledge of the presence of African or Africanized bees (what the press refers to as "killer bees") in an area results in large numbers of phone calls about stinging insects. In most cases, fire departments have been called upon to react to these "bee calls." Enclosed is an article describing this situation in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas ("Valley Resident Living in the Eye of AHB Swarm," The Speedy Bee, June, 1992).
The enclosed information discusses techniques that will help fire fighters and others in handling nuisance bees and stinging attacks. I hope you will give it widest circulation within the local firerescue community. It is my understanding that this information will also appear in national fire-fighting magazines and that a how-to video is in production. Recently, Texas public television aired a program on what the Houston Fire Department is doing to prepare for the bee's arrival. The local fire-fighting community would do well to establish communications with the local beekeeping community early on as has been done in other areas.
Reproducing the enclosed publication ENY-114, "Information on the African Honey Bee," published by the University of Florida and having it on hand for distribution to interested parties would be a beginning step. It suggests that beekeepers are expected to be a defense against African honey bees by keeping manageable colonies of European bees. I hasten to add that the African bee is not expected to be a major health hazard, but public hysteria driven by sensationalized mass communications could provide an unrealistic view of the "problems" associated with this insect.
I am a local beekeeper and have contacts with the local beekeeping community. If I can help in any way, please call on me.
Sincerely,
MORE ON EXTENDER PATTIES
In response to my inquiries concerning other labels for antibiotic extender patties (see July 1992 APIS, Dick Bonney called. He edits Connecticut's The Aware Beekeeper, and wrote in August, 1991 that directions for making patties are on the labels of two different formulations of Terramycin (TM-50D and TM-100D). According to Dr. Korb Maxwell, D.V.M., Technical Service Veterinarian, Animal Health Division, Pfizer Inc., 1107 S. 291 Hwy., Lee's Summit, MO 64081-2998, ph 816/524-5580, fax 816/525-7360, however, only the product TM-100D has such a label. This D indicates a sugar-based product and should not be confused with other products formulated on cellulose (for example, TM-10 without a D) which bees cannot use.
Dr. Maxwell sent me the label which calls for first preparing an intermediate mixture by adding 7 lbs of TM-100D to 200 lbs of powdered sugar. The intermediate mixture then contains approximately 200 mg of oxytetracycline hydrochloride activity per ounce. Four (4) ounces of this mixture (800 mg oxytetracycline) is then mixed with 165 grams of vegetable shortening (Crisco or equivalent) and 330 grams of sugar. Dick Bonney's article quotes a Roy Davis of Pfizer (no address or phone given) who gives a recipe as follows: 800 mg TM-25 (TSP); 165 grams. shortening; 330 grams powdered sugar. According to Mr. Bonney, this translates into 4 level teaspoons of TM-25 (TSP); 3/4 cup shortening; 3 cups powdered sugar, and yields about one pound of mix which can be made into 2 or 3 patties 5 to 6 inches in diameter about 5/16 inch thick. This feeds one colony the prescribed dosage (replacing 3 to 4 feedings of dust or syrup of 200 mg at 4- to 5-day intervals) of Terramycin.
Although the dosage appears to be translatable among Pfizer products, it is Dr. Maxwell's opinion that using TM-25 (TSP) in making extender patties rather than TM-100D is an "extra label" (unlawful) use. Unfortunately, the product comes in 100 pound bags and is unsuitable for small-scale beekeepers, as one bag will make an intermediate mixture in excess of 2,800 pounds! This presumably is the label that large-scale mixers like Mann Lake Supply can use in making patties for sale. The concern about adequately mixing the materials uniformly as I discussed in last month's APIS is also not addressed on the label.
VARROA RESEARCH RESULTS
Research on Varroa mites is taking some interesting turns. Dr. Roger Morse in the August, 1992 issue of Gleanings in Bee Culture discusses the fact that bees resistant to Varroa exist. Beyond shorter developmental time (as seen in the African bee) and active grooming (as reported in Apis cerana), there is now evidence that some Carniolan bees actually mutilate mites by cutting their legs off, a fatal blow to most arthropods (mites, bees, spiders, etc.). Although resistance to Varroa by honey bees exists, Dr. Morse concludes, getting it to actively work for beekeepers will involve some hard work.
One reason Varroa is difficult to research is that its development varies throughout the year. Dr. Ed Southwick in the January, 1992 American Bee Journal reports that preference for drone brood by mites increases rapidly as the percentage of drone cells increases, but will decrease as the drone-rearing season comes to an end. An Argentinean study (Apidologie, Vol. 23, 1992) showed that mites found in worker brood also vary with seasons (more in spring, less in autumn).
Low level detection of Varroa is possible by examining hive debris within a few months after infestation according to a study by a cadre of scientists from Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. (Experimental and Applied Acarology, Vol. 10, 1991). And in most cases, sampling of brood was more effective than sampling of live bees. Thus, it is reaffirmed, at least in that geographic region, that monitoring mites as they fall on the bottomboard works for detecting Varroa at low levels. For more on sampling see October 1989 APIS.
Could Varroa control have something to do with the incidence of chalkbrood? Dr. Roger Hoopingarner (B-Plus, Summer, 1992) indicated that Taiwan is confronted with a good deal of chalkbrood even in the summer (95 degrees F). He asks if there might be any explanation. A newsletter from Argentina (Expreso de Cabana Apicola MALKA, Summer, 1992) also indicates an outbreak of this disease in that country as well as in Italy, Spain and Israel. A common element among these chalkbrood outbreaks is widespread use of wooden strips impregnated with fluvalinate, usually Mavrik (R) or Klartan (R). Thus, the editor suggests that this practice may be making colonies more prone to chalkbrood infestation. If this is so, the slow release of fluvalinate in the product used in the U.S. known as Apistan (R) may help in reducing future outbreaks of this here-to- fore relatively minor disease. For more Varroa research, see the May 1993 APIS.
NATIONAL HONEY BOARD--PRIDE PROGRAM
Don't forget that September has been declared National Honey Month by the Secretary of Agriculture. The fall season is usually the time that honey sales begin to pick up. Those interested in pumping up their sales campaigns might look into the National Honey Board's 1992 press kit which includes feature stories and photographs that can be used with press contacts.
In addition to this, the National Honey Board is making available two brochures featuring the honey bear emblem. One is called "Invite Me to Your Next Party!" and contains six recipes for fall parties as well as other information. The other, entitled "Honey, Chances Are You'll Love Me Once You Get to Know Me," is full of information on honey from ideas for condiments and bread to heating honey to retard crystallization. The former is available in lots of 500 free to associations and Board supporters (they cost $.05 each). The latter is more expensive ($.50 each), but is printed on better quality paper and is longer.
The National Honey Board has also released this month its PRIDE program. This includes an 8-minute video tape with the same name and an educational packet to help beekeepers work together in preserving honey's golden reputation. The key to the PRIDE program is using hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP) to improve quality control. The procedure is analyzed, and included in the packet are sample location logs, yard reports and a list of laboratories offering analytical services to the public.
Finally, the summer, 1992 newsletter from the National Honey Board indicates reduced reporting requirements are now in effect for "low-volume" producer-packers. Those first handlers of less than 20,000 pounds of their own production can now report twice a year instead of monthly. This is not automatic, however, and interested producer-packers must apply to the Board to determine eligibility. For further information on this, the PRIDE program, brochures and the press kit mentioned above, contact Sherry Jennings, The National Honey Board, 421 21st Ave. #203, Longmont, CO 80501-1421, ph 303/776-2337, FAX 303/776-1177.
Malcolm T. Sanford
Bldg 970, Box 110620
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-0620
Phone (904) 392-1801, Ext. 143 FAX: 904-392-0190
http://www.ifas.ufl.edu/~entweb/apis/apis.htm
INTERNET Address: MTS@GNV.IFAS.UFL.EDU
©1992 M.T. Sanford "All Rights Reserved
