Inspection Request from Bob Wellemeyer

Here is an extract of the Virginia Bee Law regarding bee hive inspections:

§ 3.2-4407. Certificate of health to accompany bill of sale.

No bees on combs, hives, used beekeeping equipment with combs, or appliances may be offered for sale without a certificate of health prepared by the State Apiarist for each specifically identifiable item. The certificate of health must accompany each bill of sale.

(Code 1950, § 3-502; 1966, c. 702, § 3.1-607; 1972, c. 499, § 3.1-610.17; 2008, c. 860.)

§ 3.2-4408. Rearing package bees and queens for sale.

A. No person shall rear package bees or queens for sale without first applying to the State Apiarist for inspection at least once during each summer season.

B. Upon the discovery of any bee diseases, the rearer or seller shall at once cease to ship bees from affected apiaries until the State Apiarist issues a certificate of health for such apiaries.

C. No person engaged in rearing queen bees for sale shall use honey in the making of bee food for use in mailing cages.

(Code 1950, § 3-496; 1966, c. 702, § 3.1-601; 1972, c. 499, §§ 3.1-610.12, 3.1-610.13; 2008, c. 860.)

Please read the information in the form from Bob Wellemeyer below and contact him if you need to.

Message from Bob Wellemeyer – Virginia Apiary Inspector:

Hi folks:

What a winter!!! Pollen is rolling in, some nectar as well. Watch the
stores.

Would you please pass this along to your membership or to anyone you know
in the area that may be planning to sell bees (nucs, queens or colonies) or
used equipment this spring. Looks like we will have some warm weather in
the coming weeks, perfect for getting a head start on live inspections. What
I’d like to do is inspect all deadouts and live colonies BEFORE nucs are
made up. Certificates are good for 1 year in state. Perhaps one person in the
club or area can be the contact person for me compiling the local list and
information. Local contact would then contact me to schedule inspection
day(s). Should anyone not be comfortable with this arrangement they may
contact me directly via email or phone to schedule inspection.

Please provide me or the contact with: name, business name if any, address,
phone number, location of bee yard(s), number of colonies in each. and
location of deadouts if any. I am interested in brood nest combs. Do not
discard them before I can look at them.

I will sticker colonies, provide queen stickers if needed and write
certificates upon satisfactory findings. You are free to make copies of
certificates should anyone want one or they can contact me.

I can be reached at the information below should anyone have any questions
or wish to contact me directly.

Thanks!

Bob Wellemeyer
Virginia Apiary Inspector
cell phone: 540-229-5359
email: _beeswax7@wildblue.net_ (mailto:beeswax7@wildblue.net)
include “bee inspection” in subject line