Cybil Preston
We have one full time Apiary Inspector, four contractual part time seasonal human bee inspectors, two seasonal K-9 Foulbrood detectors and two open contractual seasonal inspector positions. Our human bee inspections start in April and run through mid-October. We open colonies when temperatures are above 60 degrees. The majority of Maryland’s beekeeping industry is hobbyist/backyard beekeepers with a small percentage of small scale to commercial beekeepers.
When temperatures are below 52 degrees (typically our Winter weather starts in November and runs through March) we utilize the two certified foulbrood scent detectors to inspect the commercial operations that move out of state for pollination contracts. The foulbrood detector K-9s certify between 2,000 and 3,000 honey bee colonies that move to California for almond pollination. They also inspect the small operations that produce nucs for sale. The K-9 inspectors are on vacation from April through October. During that time Mack, Tukka and I do educational outreach on why bees and beekeepers are important and what we do to help bees and beekeepers. We do school talks, Beekeeping Association meetings and visit the state fair. We even go so far as to wear bee costumes and promote honey bees, honey and beekeeping.
During our inspection season Maryland also participates in the National Honey Bee Survey with BIP and the Giant Aiain Hornet Invasives survey. I try to get out in the field inspecting bees at least three days a week.. – weather permitting.
