Pests and diseases of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) in bartin vicinity

In this research carried out in 1999, 5 different diseases (American foulbrood, Europan foulbrood, Sacbrood, Chalkbrood and Nosema) and 12 different pests (Varroa mite (Varroa jacobsoni Oudemans), honeycomb moth (Galleria mellonella L.), European hornet (Vespa crabro L.), Beelouse (Braula coeca Nitzsch), Silverfish (Lepismatidae), ants, Paper wasp (Polistes gallicus L.), European earwig (Forficula auricularia L.), spider, European bee-eater (Merops apiaster L.), mouses, brown bear (Ursus arctos L.) being harmful to bee colonies (Apis mellifera L.) were determinated in Bartin vicinity. In addition, the questionnaire concerning apiculture was administered to Bartin local beekeepers. This survey study was applied to beekeepers to obtain and gather information about beekeeping. Using face to face method, 59 members of Beekeeper Association attended to survey. According to the survey results 29% of beekeepers consider beekeeping as their major income, 50% of them have honey production of per hive between 10-15kg, 49% of beekeepers have under 50 hives, 23% of them were classified as free range beekeepers, 73% of the beekeepers turn to experienced beekeepers if they have any problem about hives, 58% of beekeepers gather information from experienced beekeepers if they have diseases and pests, 60% of beekeepers? colonies were affected due to pesticides spray.Key Words: Beekeeping, Bartın, Apis mellifera L., honeybee diseases, pests, questionnaire.