Alfalfa Leaf Cutting Bee Producer Guide to the National Bee Farm-level Biosecurity Standard
Appendix G: Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee Biosecurity Checklist
Section 1: Bee Health Management
1.1 Bee Sources
- Box The Canadian Loose Bee Cell Management System is followed
When purchasing bees
- Box purchase loose bee cells
- Box avoid purchasing filled nest blocks and incubated or adult bees
- Box purchase from trusted suppliers that can provide test results from the Canadian Cocoon Testing Centre ( CCTC )
- Box establish lots, if suitable for your operation
Lots are based on
- Box source
- Box nest box type/year purchased
- Box crop
- Box client
- Box percentage of nest block fill
- Box processing date
- Box treatments
- Box incubation groups
- Box lots are sampled following recommended practice in a repeatable and consistent manner
- Box samples are tested either by a trained producer or the CCTC
1.2 Prevention: Minimizing Susceptibility to Pests
Storage and incubation facility control:
- Box temperature
- Box humidity
- Box air circulation/ventilation
- Box nest boxes are stored/stacked off the floor
- Box loose bee cells are stored in containers that limit conditions that encourage the development of pests
- Box nests and shelters are constructed and maintained in a state that limits access to pests
- Box bees are located in areas that minimize the impact of irrigation where applicable
1.3 Prevention: Minimizing Exposure
Exposure to pests is minimized during storage and incubation:
- Box preventative treatments and methods are used
- Box temperature, humidity, and air circulation is monitored and maintained
- Box light is limited
- Box known infected/infested lots and cells are stored and incubated separately from healthy ones
- Box emerged bee cells and trays are removed from shelters and disposed of in an acceptable way
Precautions are taken to minimize bee drifting and intermixing:
- Box visual cues are used for shelters and nests
- Box exposure to other bee species is avoided
- Box recommended alfalfa leafcutting bee pollination stocking rates are followed
- Box shelter distance to bees of other sources is maximized where possible
- Box known or suspect bee lots are treated separately
- Box bee release is timed to coincide with nectar and pollen flow
- Box nest boxes are monitored for percent filled tunnels
- Box full nests are removed and empty nests are added as required
- Box bee cells are effectively dried, processed and conditioned
Minimize exposure to pests during transport:
- Box cover or enclose trays
- Box use screened trays
1.4 Diagnosis and Monitoring
Principles:
- Box thorough sampling methods
- Box involvement with inspection programs where applicable
- Box establishing and acting on thresholds
- Box monitoring
- Box training
- Box treatment efficacy
- Box record keeping
1.5 Standard Response
- Box treatment thresholds are followed
- Box all treatment label directions are read and followed
- Box recommended products are used
- Box treatments are thorough and consistent
- Box treatment is timed
- Box cultural and biosecurity methods are incorporated
1.6 Elevated Response
- Box communication with staff, provincial apiarists, associations, suppliers, clients, government and other growers
- Box suspected and confirmed threat protocols are in place and are implemented if an elevated response is triggered (may include suspension of hive movement, restricted access, heightened monitoring and sampling)
- Box personal, equipment, and visitor biosecurity protocols are followed
- Box records are kept and maintained
Section 2: Operations Management
2.1 Obtaining Production Inputs
- Box production inputs are purchased from recommended and trusted suppliers
- Box production treatments are approved for use with alfalfa leafcutting bees and in good condition
2.2 Handling and Disposal of Production Inputs
- Box chemical treatments are stored according to product labels
- Box a first in/first out inventory system is used
- Box label instructions are followed for disposal of excess or expired products
2.3 Obtaining Bee Equipment
Considerations for purchasing bee equipment:
- Box new equipment is purchased
- Box reliable and trusted suppliers are used
- Box the purchase of bee cells in nest blocks is avoided
- Box equipment is inspected
Considerations for purchasing used bee equipment:
- Box used equipment is avoided
- Box if necessary, used equipment with known disease history is purchased
- Box used equipment is cleaned and disinfected in a segregated area
- Box alfalfa leafcutting bee equipment is not imported
2.4 Management and Maintenance of Bee Equipment, Dead Bees, and Bee Products
- Box inspection for condition and damage is conducted at least once a year
- Box damaged nest backing material is culled
- Box damaged trays and shelters are culled or repaired
- Box a nest block and nest back filler replacement system is used
- Box debris is cleaned and removed from equipment before disinfection
- Box a designated cleaning area is used, where possible
- Box culled material is stored in a separate area away from other operations
- Box materials and equipment are disposed of appropriately
- Box all reused equipment is disinfected once a year
2.5 Personal Sanitation
- Box bees and equipment that have been cleaned and disinfected are handled before dirty or contaminated bees and equipment
- Box healthy bees are attended to before suspect or diseased bees
Hands are washed where appropriate:
- Box after handling infected equipment or bee cells and subsequently handling clean bees
- Box if extra precautions are required in an operation due to persistently high levels of pathogens
- Box soiled reusable gloves are washed and disinfected before reuse where appropriate
- Box coveralls and clothing are washed regularly
2.6 Design of Facilities
- Box roadways and pathways are graded and drained
- Box facility exteriors are kept free from vegetation and debris
Interiors and exteriors of facilities are constructed and maintained to reduce exposure to pests:
- Box cleaning and disinfection is considered in the design
- Box temperature control is adequate
- Box humidity control is adequate
- Box air circulation/ventilation control is adequate
- Box access by rodents, insects, and birds is limited
- Box dust is controlled
- Box lighting is limited
- Box water supplies are adequate
Separate facilities exist for
- Box bee cell processing
- Box repairing and preparing nest blocks
- Box incubation
- Box filled nests and bee cell storage
2.7 Maintenance of Premises, Buildings, Vehicles, and Other Equipment
- Box filled nest blocks and bee cell storage, and bee cell processing and incubation facilities are cleaned thoroughly once per year
- Box all equipment used for handling infected material is cleaned
- Box bee cell processing area is cleaned once a day to remove dust
Building and equipment disinfection considers:
- Box contact with infected bee cells or equipment
- Box cleaning (removal of debris and dust)
- Box disinfection with an appropriate product
Buildings are maintained in optimal condition:
- Box rodent and nuisance pest checks occur annually
- Box environmental (temperature, humidity, and ventilation) monitoring is undertaken
- Box environmental alarm systems are used, if possible
- Box regular physical observation and monitoring occurs
- Box vehicles and portable equipment are cleaned at designated cleaning areas
- Box used water is contained or drained
2.8 Control of Weeds and Nuisance Pests
Regular monitoring occurs for:
- Box damage
- Box theft or vandalism
- Box presence of weeds
- Box unused or broken equipment
- Box garbage
- Box other attractants
Weed control:
- Box mowing
- Box weeding
- Box herbicides
Rodent control:
- Box traps
- Box cats and dogs
- Box recommended poison
- Box building maintenance
- Box monitoring
2.9 Training and Education
- Box A training/education program is implemented.
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