[Pollinator] MEDIA RELEASE: The Mite-A-Thon

Mon Aug 21 14:35:34 PDT 2017

MEDIA RELEASE: The Mite-A-Thon

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*MEDIA RELEASE                                           *
*August 21, 2017                                             *

James Sherman js at pollinator.org 415-362-1137
Val Dolcini vdolcini at pollinator.org 530-400-6100
------------------------------

*Pollinator Partnership Announces 2017 Mite-A-Thon to Test Honey Bee Hives*
Testing will gather information from ‘Citizen Scientists’ on Varroa Mite
levels in US and Canada

*Pollinator Partnership*, the world’s largest non-profit organization
dedicated to the health of all pollinators, announced that an opportunity
to gather data on Varroa mite infestations will take place from September 9
to 16, 2017.  The first annual Mite-A-Thon will test honey bee hives for
levels of Varroa mites all across North America just before overwintering
begins and commercial, sideliner, and hobbyist beekeepers are all
encouraged to participate in order to create a rich distribution of
sampling sites in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.  A common
measurement protocol will be used, and data will be uploaded to MiteCheck.

The Varroa mite was introduced into North America 30 years ago from Asia,
and is one of the leading stressors to the health of honey bees in North
America.  The presence of mites in hives is a leading indicator of the
health of the hive and the percentage of bees with mites provides a way to
measure the cumulative impact of other stressors such as pesticides, poor
nutrition, and disease.  There are significant data showing that low rates
of Varroa mite infestation make overwintering success more probable.

*James Sherman* of Pollinator Partnership said that the Mite-A-Thon will
“raise awareness about the level of Varroa mites across the hives of North
America and will also teach consistent and effective methods to measure
mite load.”  Sherman added that “mite management strategies will be made
available for those who seek them based on information and outreach
materials developed by the partners listed below.  We hope to have over
10,000 samplings.”

*Val Dolcini*, President and CEO of Pollinator Partnership encouraged all
beekeepers to participate.  “We welcome backyard beekeepers and citizen
scientists, testing their hives and reporting the data they find during
this week in September.  We need bee clubs and associations to help lead
this effort.”  More information about the Mite-A-Thon can be found at
www.pollinator.org/miteathon
<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?PollinatorPartnershi/32aad54452/ea93d08952/6cb194bb1a/utm_content=Kelly&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=www%2Epollinator%2Eorg%2Fmiteathon&utm_campaign=MEDIA%20RELEASE%3A%20The%20Mite-A-Thon>
.

Participants will test the level of mites present in their hives using a
standardized protocol utilizing two common methods of assessment (powdered
sugar roll or alcohol wash) and then upload their data (at www.mitecheck.com
<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?PollinatorPartnershi/32aad54452/ea93d08952/3957822d35>),
including location, total number of hives, number of hives tested, local
habitat, and the number of Varroa mites counted from each hive.

The Mite-A-Thon is supported by the North American Pollinator Protection
Campaign (NAPPC) and Pollinator Partnership. NAPPC has over 160 partner
entities from government, industry, academia, and NGO’s who work
collaboratively across North America to support pollinators.  For nearly 2
decades, NAPPC partners have created real and lasting programs that support
best management practices and real change for pollinators in all
landscapes.  The NAPPC website is www.nappc.org
<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?PollinatorPartnershi/32aad54452/ea93d08952/cd53bb48e4>.
NAPPC’s administration is provided by Pollinator Partnership (
www.pollinator.org
<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?PollinatorPartnershi/32aad54452/ea93d08952/7e026f745c/utm_content=Kelly&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=www%2Epollinator%2Eorg&utm_campaign=MEDIA%20RELEASE%3A%20The%20Mite-A-Thon>).

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To view this media release online visit P2's In The News
<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?PollinatorPartnershi/32aad54452/ea93d08952/ec2de6cc9a/utm_content=Kelly&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=In%20The%20News&utm_campaign=MEDIA%20RELEASE%3A%20The%20Mite-A-Thon>
page.

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Pollinator Partnership - 423 Washington St, 5th Floor - San Francisco, CA
94111-2339                                      (415) 362-1137
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