British Columbia Bee Breeders' Association

Welcome!

The British Columbia Bee Breeders' Association (BCBBA) was formed in 1987 as a division of the British Columbia Honey Producers' Association (BCHPA).

Our intention is to encourage the local production of quality queens, nucs and packages through the highest production standards, supported by the free exchange of information and continuing education.

VSH Project Proposal

“The other thing to keep in mind is that there is no special bee that can be plugged into our current unhealthy system of beekeeping and solve all these problems (honey bee health, weather, and economics). Only by working on breeding and management together in a constantly evolving system will these problems be solved.” Kirk Webster, American Beekeeping Journal, November 2007, Vol 147, No 11.

Since it’s arrival to British Columbia over a decade ago, the parasitic Varroa mite has proven itself to be our apiarists’ greatest challenge. This project will bring together superior bee breeding stock to trial in BC’s climate in conjunction with developing a practical Integrated Pest Management IPM program. Mite resistant bees without the support of proven management techniques to keep Varroa mites at bay will not be successful. Additionally, these bees must prove hardy to survive in our unique provincial environment. Mite resistant bees are not a magic bullet, but a step towards sustainability. The future of successful beekeeping is managing regionally suitable bees without an over-reliance on chemical miticides.

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