This study guide is an overview of some key CNG standards that most often trip up newer members and can serve as a helpful guide for non-beekeepers who get the opportunity to conduct a CNG apiary inspection. The primary focus is on our Apiary Standards, which are fully detailed here. Please direct any additional questions to the certification specialist at certification@naturallygrown.org.
Varroa Mites
Varroa mites are extremely damaging pests that vector numerous viral diseases which can cause severe damage and total eradication of honeybee colonies.
Because of the severe risk that varroa mites pose to hives, CNG strongly recommends that beekeepers have a mite monitoring strategy and treat accordingly. Most conventional miticides like Hivastan, Coumaphos, etc. are still prohibited, but formic acid, essential oils, HopGuard and other treatments are allowed. See the List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for CNG Apiaries for details regarding which substances are allowed and what specific protocol is required for each type of treatment.
Best practices include: careful monitoring of mite populations, appropriate treatment when necessary, varroa resistant hive genetics (including survivor queens), adequate hive ventilation, and splitting colonies.
Brood Frame Removal
Brood frames are the frames, or panels, in the hive where bee larva is developing in the comb.
To prevent long-term development of diseases or other contamination in the brood frames, these must be rotated out of the hive on a scheduled basis. At least 20% of brood frame comb must be removed annually, and beekeepers must ensure that there is no brood comb older than five years in the hive. Marking or numbering each brood frame is required to maintain this removal schedule.
Supplemental Feeding
Beekeepers may have to rely on supplemental feeding when environmental pollen and nectar sources are not sufficient to sustain the hive, most often in fall and early spring.
Supplemental feeding is encouraged when necessary, but may never be done when honey supers are on the hive. Homemade pure white sugar syrup and approved commercial pollen patties are the preferred supplemental feeding resources.
Allowed nectar substitutes include: honey from the beekeeper’s own hives, homemade sugar syrup made from non-GMO refined white, granulated cane sugar, and fondant containing only honey, sugar, and water.
Allowed pollen substitutes include: commercial pure pollen patties and home-made pollen patties (that contain only the CNG beekeeper’s collected pollen, water, and white cane sugar). The feeding of home-made pollen substitutes that contain additional ingredients such as whey protein, soy products, Brewer’s yeast, milk products, HFCS, vegetable oil, etc. is not allowed.
Formic Acid
Formic acid is an allowed, but restricted substance that beekeepers use to manage tracheal and varroa mites. Common products include Mite Away Quick Strips, MiteGone wafers, and Formic Acid Fumigator.
The use of formic acid is discouraged, but allowed with evidence of severe varroa and/or tracheal mite infestations. It may never be used while honey supers are present on the hive and all product label instructions must be followed, including ambient temperature restrictions. Please see the CNG Apiary Standards for specifics on product time limits and other restrictions.
Disease Prevention
Disease prevention is an essential element of a beekeeper’s apiary management plan. Common diseases include nosema, American and European Foulbrood (AFB & EFB), chalkbrood, Deformed Wing Virus (DWV, vectored by varroa mites), and more.
Whether or not CNG beekeepers have experienced outbreaks of the above diseases, they need to demonstrate both a prevention and a management plan if the disease were to occur. Sanitation, ventilation, proper sun exposure, and conscientious hive monitoring are all important disease prevention practices.
Hive Transition
Hive transition is when an apiary under conventional management is transitioned to natural management by the beekeeper.
CNG is happy to support beekeepers transitioning from conventional practices, but there are some important guidelines to keep in mind. Split operations (i.e. those with conventional and CNG hives) are not allowed.
- Beekeepers must immediately convert all apiary and land management practices to be in line with CNG standards and ensure that no prohibited substances are being used.
- Brood comb must be removed and replaced quickly, 30% per year is ideal. Frame marking is required. Beekeepers should reference the Appendix II Transition Table for transition schedules for specific substances.
- Care should be taken to prevent any cross contamination between conventional hives and the CNG beekeeper’s hives when sourcing bees, equipment or other supplies.