We have been working with the bee inspectors in New York and the SHB is right across the border from Ontario both in the Niagara Region and along the St. Lawrence River area. The interesting thing in New York, is that the SHB are in the migratory bees from Florida but so far have not been detected in bees on permanent locations in New York. Currently they are located from Texas across the southwest to California. We do not expect that African Bees will survive this far north, as they are a tropical bee that turn all of their honey resources into bees that swarm. They will starve in our climate.
Beekeepers are busy preparing their hives for winter and hoping for a better season next year.
Apples - Ken Wilson Apple harvest is winding down as growers try to capture the last of a crop estimated to be about 13 million bushels. In the warmer districts most apples have been picked but in the later districts, Idared, Northern Spy, Crispin and Delicious are still being harvested. Size has been excellent and preharvest drop not excessive. There is more insect damage evident now than first impressions indicated. This up-swing in AM injury relates directly to the excessive moisture experienced through out the apple districts.