Anyone else NOT want the bee inspector messing with their hives??

[MrGreenThumb]

Non of my colonies are sick, all made it through winter and I never treated any of them. My bees are located in the hills of Carrol county...away from the city, pesticides and pollution and doing fine. I fear that if a bee inspector pays my bees a visit they will then come down with 'something' bad...its like going to the hospital for a check up but leaving there in a body bag.

I seen beekeepers and inspectors wearing dirty [edit by mod] cloths covered with bee goo from numerous other colonies. Some of these colonies were healthy while others were sick.

What is to stop a bee inspector from spreading sickness from one colony to the other when checking numurous apiaries in a weeks time???? I do not want to take the chance so I had not even listed/registered my bees. I do not need other peoples bee problems spread in my apiary. I would be the first to burn a hive if it had AFB...I do not a bee inspector, [edit by mod] telling me what I should do.

thx

[jdpro5010]

You ought to do little research in Ohio registration before making such wide and ignorant statements. You have to register because it is the law. You do not have to allow the inspector into your hives. When you register they will also send you an authorization slip of sorts, You can mark the spot that says do not inspect my hives and they will not and cannot inspect your hives(it's the law) but you still have to register. Now why would you not want to register? It gives your local pesticide applicators (in theory) notice of where your hives are and then if there is a poisoning you have some recourse. Without registration you are making them faultless if they kill your bees. Seems illogical and unharmful to register to me and I dislike Big Brother as much or more than the next guy.:confused:

[Mike Gillmore]

You can also jot down your phone number and make a note on your registration stating that you must be contacted prior to inspection and you wish to accompany the inspector when he makes his visit. Columbus will have these notes typed right out on the inspectors forms.

I've done it before and they always follow the instructions perfectly. My request was not because I don't trust the inspector... but because I enjoyed going through the colonies with him, talking bees, and picking his brain a bit.

The inspectors I've met down this way are well aware of the risks of spreading disease and they are very vigilant in taking necessary precautions to prevent it. It's their job, and the last thing they want to do is spread diseases.

It's in your best interest to register your colonies every year, even if you request they not be inspected. If there is an outbreak in your apiary location, and you're not registered, you will never get a friendly notice to take precautions. Actually, it's really not an option to ignore registering your apiaries. It's a requirement, not a request.

[Joseph Clemens]

I once kept bees in Ohio. Back when I was a teenager. I had two hives on my great uncle's farm in Key, Ohio. I don't know if registration was required back then, but it probably was, I just wasn't aware of it.

I'm a little older now, but I am aware that I presently live in one of the few states where there is no registration or inspection for honeybees.

[Jeffrey Todd]

All in all, I am glad for the bee inspector. I would like to be present, if possible, when the inspector arrives, so that I can pick his brain for local knowledge and conditions. Of course, I also prefer to be present when ANYONE steps foot on my property so I can keep an eye on things.
I would think and hope that inspectors are trained in proper procedures to prevent the spread of diseases; I would also think and hope that healthcare workers are trained in proper procedure to prevent the spread of diseases, yet, they are a source of lots of hospital-acquired infections. In both instances, it is prudent to keep a watchful eye out yourself.

[Ian]

Its in your best interests to have your colonies surveyed.

Its kind of a long shot fearing disease contamination of your hives from a dirty suit.

But your right to a point. Why is thier coverals dirty? Not like they are working the hives. If you ask me, they should try to keep up good apperances to avoid this exactly impression amoungst some beekeepers.

Make a suggestion to your local extentions office! My inspector wears a clean suit, why shouldnt yours?

[gingerivers]

Our inspector in NC is as nice a fellow as you'd ever want to meet, helpful and friendly, not overbearing or dirty. Uses your hive tool rather than his to minimize spread of disease. Knows his stuff, examined hives, friendly, looked at used equipment for presence of AFB.

I'd want to know rather than not and take the chance of losing colonies. We don't have to register here but I wouldn't hesitate to have him in my beeyard. Welcome anytime.

[deantn]

Guess its time an inspector jumps in on this discussion.
Now here in TN. we have the right by law to go on your property and do an inspection of your bees whether you are registered or not. If not registered we will fill out a form for you and send it in to Nashville. But in the case of the three inspectors in our Assoc. we don't go on an inspection unless we are asked by the beekeeper, I for one don't want anyone walking around my property either without an invite. So we always set up an appointment with the beek before we go there. Also we don't do anything except look at frames after the beekeeper has taken his own hive apart for us, now I carry extra jars in case we need to send anything off to Knoxville to get checked, such as tracheal mite problem or such. We carry alcohol to clean anything we use but the beekeeper is supposed to use his own equipment while we are doing any inspection. I personally don't take any of my tools with me to do an inspection except jacket and nitral gloves . Those get thrown away after use of them. Jacket is washed more often than necessary but worth the time and effort to keep Uncle Sam haters off our back.

[KQ6AR]

From what I understand here in CA, we don't have an inspector or registration. I think it would be nice if we did incase I suspected a problem.

Correct me if I'm wrong about CA inspectors.

Dan

[odfrank]

We have not had registration or inspections here for about twenty years. The guy who inspected back then knew little about beekeeping, they did it for the money the state would send them for doing it, he now the Ag Commisioner.

[iddee]

Another NC beek reporting in.

We have a group of VERY knowledgeable beeks inspecting and they are headed up by Don Hopkins, about the friendliest, most helpful, courteous, ETC. person you would ever want to meet. I just wish he weren't so busy that I feel like I'm imposing if I ask him to come by when i don't really have a problem. He is just a pleasure to have in the beeyard.

[dhood]

I would actually prefer if our state had them, although I wouldn't like the idea of registering hives if it were just a way to charge taxes. By the way, does anyone know if we do have a way to register hives or get inspections in SC?
I've not found anywhere on the internet that mentions it in our state. If so, is it required? Who do you contact?

-Thanks, Daniel

[iddee]

dhood, this may help.

http://www.scstatebeekeepers.org/

[okb]

Guess its time an inspector jumps in on this discussion.
Now here in TN. we have the right by law to go on your property and do an inspection of your bees whether you are registered or not. If not registered we will fill out a form for you and send it in to Nashville. But in the case of the three inspectors in our Assoc. we don't go on an inspection unless we are asked by the beekeeper, I for one don't want anyone walking around my property either without an invite. So we always set up an appointment with the beek before we go there. Also we don't do anything except look at frames after the beekeeper has taken his own hive apart for us, now I carry extra jars in case we need to send anything off to Knoxville to get checked, such as tracheal mite problem or such. We carry alcohol to clean anything we use but the beekeeper is supposed to use his own equipment while we are doing any inspection. I personally don't take any of my tools with me to do an inspection except jacket and nitral gloves . Those get thrown away after use of them. Jacket is washed more often than necessary but worth the time and effort to keep Uncle Sam haters off our back.


Failed to mention the fine for unregistered hives. What is it now $500.00?

[HarryVanderpool]

".....and I never treated any of them. "



Thats all I needed to read.
I really hope your inspector has his book of matches handy.
:P

[MrGreenThumb]

Thats all I needed to read.
I really hope your inspector has his book of matches handy.
:P

I can spot AFB and EFB...non of my hives have them. So, no need to burn them Harry.

[pcelar]

Non of my colonies are sick, all made it through winter and I never treated any of them. My bees are located in the hills of Carrol county...away from the city, pesticides and pollution and doing fine. I fear that if a bee inspector pays my bees a visit they will then come down with 'something' bad...its like going to the hospital for a check up but leaving there in a body bag.

I seen beekeepers and inspectors wearing dirty [edit by mod] cloths covered with bee goo from numerous other colonies. Some of these colonies were healthy while others were sick.
In Europe we had a veterinarian come and inspect our hives. In Europe vets are trained in these things. It was good that knowledgeable person come in and have a look at our colonies. He always wore new clean disposable bee suit. Nobody ever complained of cross contamination.

[indypartridge]

Here in Indiana we have a very competent and knowledgeable Apiary Inspector, Kathleen Prough. Her primary focus has always been teaching and helping beekeepers keep healthy hives. I try to take advantage of every opportunity to learn from her. She's an ally, not an adversary.

[Budster]

Do up an Ohio non-consent form found here:

http://www.ohioagriculture.gov/oda3/Plnt/Forms/Plnt_4201-001.pdf

[sqkcrk]

I would actually prefer if our state had them, although I wouldn't like the idea of registering hives if it were just a way to charge taxes. By the way, does anyone know if we do have a way to register hives or get inspections in SC?
I've not found anywhere on the internet that mentions it in our state. If so, is it required? Who do you contact?

-Thanks, Daniel

Contact Fred Singleton at 1-843-670-2481. He is a SC Apiary Inspector. He checks my hives every spring before they go back to NY.

[Jeffzhear]

I welcome my honeybee inspectors in both NY and PA. Both Gents are super and I've learned much and they've learned a few things from me.

[Jim Fischer]

The building inspector may not be as fine a craftsman as I, but
his sign-off is required before I can call my work "finished". If
he and I disagree, he can refuse to approve my work, and force
me to fix it before the structure can be "occupied". The goal
here is public safety.

The health inspector may not have any skills at all, but if he
finds that my honey house is dirty, he can shut me down until
it is as clean as he wants it. After all, he is merely protecting
the public from unsanitary food, and honey is food.

The automobile inspector may not be a good mechanic at all,
but if he does not like the condition of my brakes, exhaust,
tires, lights, or whatever, he can refuse to give me a sticker
until I fix them to his satisfaction. Without a sticker, the car
can't be driven anywhere but between home and the repair
shop(s) of my choice.

The ATF can stop by any time they like, and when they do
stop by, one can assume that they are not visiting about
the alcohol or the tobacco. They have powers that can
result in convictions and prison time for even the most
shaky flaky accusations, such as this one (http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=49&a=342695).

The bee inspector may not be as good a beekeeper as you
or I, but if he wants to, he can send off some samples to a
lab and if the LAB says I have foulbrood, his boss can force
me to destroy the hives.

Somehow, it seems that the bee inspector has nowhere near
the unilateral power of the other kinds of inspectors. Why all
the hatred of the guy with the LEAST power?

[tecumseh]

it is quite the pleasure when I get to ride around here with the state bee inspector, about 1/2 day twice a year. I appreciate his time and the information I acquire is worth every dollar I might ever spend for whatever permit I might be applying for....

we have a limited hive registration permit here... if you have under about 10 hives and don't move them across county lines you don't really need to register.

[Michael Bush]

I have to pay the inspector to come out. $150. I went through the hives with him the first year, but after that I haven't bothered. He's always been careful and respectful of my hives.

[Michael Palmer]

I have to pay the inspector to come out. $150. I went through the hives with him the first year, but after that I haven't bothered.

How much will he do for $150? One yard? One day?

[notaclue]

I've met both of our inspectors and their boss, during training. One was my beekeeping class instructor and the other is often at one of the local beekeepers club meetings. The only reason I would want to be there is for the training available and reaffirmation to what I may already know. I trust them all with my hives since they are also beeks and one has a spouse that is a commercial beek, so that is some insight I normally wouldn't regularily get.

Registartion is required and free and inspections are if we want them or if we want to move a managed hive and also free.

[nursebee]

I've never seen the arse cloth of my inspector. He has not shown it to me and I've not asked.

This is in a way a discussion for those in Ohio only, they got all kinds of politics there.

Give Ceasar his due, it is his pic on the coin.

So this is a rant about something that could happen? Lord I did not know I could complain here about the possibilities...

I can't shoot a tin can or a black bear from 20 feet so my inspector has nothing to worry about, but maybe Mr Green Thumb is a Mr Happy Trigger FInger?

[Mike Gillmore]

I seen beekeepers and inspectors wearing dirty [edit by mod] cloths covered with bee goo from numerous other colonies. Some of these colonies were healthy while others were sick.



Without calling out any names, I'm just curious where you witnessed an inspector moving recklessly between healthy and sick colonies covered in bee goo?

Our Stark County Inspector was the same gentleman who inspected the 200+ registered colonies in Carroll County last year. I'm sure it wasn't him you're referring to.

[Michael Bush]

>How much will he do for $150? One yard? One day?

One yard.

[space bee]

Just curious if I missed something, and where I could find out.

[John Gesner]

My bees are ... ...away from the city, pesticides and pollution...

You'd have to be living on another planet for that to be a realistic statement.

I fear that if a bee inspector pays my bees a visit they will then come down with 'something' bad...

As aforementioned, you sign a non-inspection waiver.

...its like going to the hospital for a check up but leaving there in a body bag.

Can't help you there. Bad things happen to good people.

I seen beekeepers and inspectors wearing dirty ass cloths covered with bee goo from numerous other colonies.

So, I have to assume you've been along on inspections and witnessed these actions first hand? "Bee goo"? Not dirty knees from kneeling in someone's muddy apiary? Not propolis stains from experience? You have some secret detergent that removes propolis stains? Everything I've ever worn in the apiary has propolis stains on it.

What is to stop a bee inspector from spreading sickness from one colony to the other when checking numurous apiaries in a weeks time?

Protocol requires that, when a disease is identified in an apiary, the inspector stops what he's doing after closing that hive and washes/sterilizes his equipment before proceeding on. After inspecting each apiary, the inspector also washes/sterilizes his equipment. If you knew anything about the Ohio program, you'd know that. Or, you'd report the incident. But you wouldn't be here, slandering others in cyber-space...

I do not need other peoples bee problems spread in my apiary.

So, if your neighbor has a dead out that your bees rob, your bees somehow cleanse themselves before returning home. You should market your queens. Varroa would cease to exist...

You've been more than a little critical of a program that, for the most part, is provided free of charge for you. All the inspectors I've interacted with have been helpful, courteous, and EXPERIENCED individuals. And they don't get paid much for their service.

As for not registering your hives, statistical information is necessary for determining funding, or the exclusion of, for programs like Ohio's Inspection Program. So, you may be partly responsible for the loss of this program. Congratulations. This program will most likely be axed, thanks to State budget cuts, and disappear after this year.

So where should all our new beginning beekeepers go for help? Should we list you as a contact for all beginning beekeepers in Ohio, in case they would like some advice or help with their hives?

[Dr.Wax]

I've never seen the arse cloth of my inspector.

I was deeply offended by this description. :p

Seriously, I would think bee inspectors are more viewed as a great resource rather than a nuisance.

[Budster]

I was deeply offended by this description. :p

Seriously, I would think bee inspectors are more viewed as a great resource rather than a nuisance.

I'm not wanting to post to "engage in battle" or anything, but in my own personal opinion, which may be flawed at times, feel that the Ohio Apiary Inspection/Registration program is excellent. I feel the state has taken the responsibility to measure disease, parasites, hives, etc to monitor the (kept) bee populations in the state. They offer thorough records online, http://www.ohioagriculture.gov/plant/curr/ap/plnt_ap_2006InspectionSummary.pdf ) which could help spot trends (good or bad) and outbreaks of pathogens, disease, etc. Check out the web page...

http://www.ohioagriculture.gov/plant/curr/ap/plnt-ap-index.stm

The cost is $5.00 per year for each apiary, and might as well be free as far as I'm concerned. Inspector will come out at least once per year, and spend time with you if you wish, and will leave a written report on his findings if you aren't available. You are allowed the option of "opting-out" of the inspections with this form...

http://www.ohioagriculture.gov/oda3/Plnt/Forms/Plnt_4201-001.pdf

What more could you ask for. I don't feel its regulated or anything, I think its a genuine concern from the state of Ohio about its agriculture.

I now keep my bees in Madison County (Plain City) area, and do allow inspections by the bee inspector. Brad, I think, is his name.

Like the program or not, you can complete a No Consent Form and be on your merry way...

[stangardener]

Thats all I needed to read.
I really hope your inspector has his book of matches handy.
:P

if i had concerns over inspectors it would be that i might have to deal with someone with the above attitude regarding not treating hives with chemicals.

[sqkcrk]

Just curious if I missed something, and where I could find out.

You can contact the NY State Apiculturalist at 1-800-554-5401, ext 2087 or 518-457-2087. His name is Paul Cappy and he can answer all of you questions and tell you who your "local" Apiary Inspector is.

[Scut Farkas]

You ought to do little research in Ohio registration before making such wide and ignorant statements. You have to register because it is the law. You do not have to allow the inspector into your hives. When you register they will also send you an authorization slip of sorts, You can mark the spot that says do not inspect my hives and they will not and cannot inspect your hives(it's the law) but you still have to register. Now why would you not want to register? It gives your local pesticide applicators (in theory) notice of where your hives are and then if there is a poisoning you have some recourse. Without registration you are making them faultless if they kill your bees. Seems illogical and unharmful to register to me and I dislike Big Brother as much or more than the next guy.:confused:

Why not be nice when giving advice. He might be uniformed of the details of the law, but as far as I can tell he's a lot nicer guy than you!