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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success StoryAutoclave scheduling



Autoclave scheduling

Author: Jacob Vincent

Planning Unit: Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs

Major Program: KSU Small Farm Program

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Beekeeping nationwide is in decline. The past 80 years have seen a steady decrease in the total number of managed bee colonies across the United States. Many reasons have been suggested for this decline but the majority agree that pesticides and pests accumulating in the hive are to blame. In order to help sustain Kentucky beekeepers, Kentucky State University has developed a large, mobile autoclave for the purpose of sterilizing used beehive equipment. This unit will both destroy any parasite, virus, or pest present in the hive, as well as remove old wax and comb that is contaminated with pesticides that may have accumulated over the years. On October 30th, 2017, we scheduled for the autoclave to be present at the Eastern Kentucky Bee School in Hazard Co. Ky. This autoclave will be demonstrated and explained to local beekeepers at this event and will allow for the advertising of the relatively new unit. Over time, the sterilization of beehives using the autoclave will save beekeepers thousands of dollars in equipment and allow for the steady increase in bee populations due to decreased prevalence of pesticides and pests inside the hive.






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