Combining Pest Treatments May Be Key to Helping Honey Bees Survive Winter
Winter poses significant challenges for managed honey bee colonies, with U.S. beekeepers reporting that one-third of their colonies perish each winter. A recent study by Penn State researchers suggests that a key strategy to improve winter survival rates is the use of multiple pest treatments for Varroa mites.
Integrated Pest Management
The study, published in the Journal of Insect Science, found that beekeepers who used a combination of treatments for Varroa mites experienced higher winter colony survival than those relying on a single type of treatment. Varroa mites are detrimental parasites that can weaken honey bees and spread diseases.
Darcy Gray, who led the study while completing her master’s degree in the intercollege Ecology Graduate Program at Penn State, emphasized the importance of this research for providing beekeepers with locally specific information. This can help them manage their colonies better during winter, reducing high colony losses.
Weather and Bee Survival
While weather conditions significantly impact winter colony survival, the study found that beekeepers using integrated pest management strategies saw better survival rates even in harsh weather. Spring, fall, and winter precipitation were associated with increased survival, while summer precipitation correlated with decreased survival. This could be due to reduced foraging time during consecutive rainy days in summer, leading to less food stored for winter.
Christina Grozinger, Professor of Entomology and director of the Penn State Center for Pollinator Research, noted the complexity of habitat and weather factors. She highlighted the importance of long-term data from Pennsylvania beekeepers, which allowed the researchers to build robust statistical models.
Effective Pest Treatments
The study revealed no significant difference between "soft" and "hard" chemical treatments. Soft chemicals, which are naturally derived and organic, were as effective at increasing winter survival as synthetic chemicals. These findings align with previous studies demonstrating that organic beekeeping methods are just as effective as conventional methods.
Implications for Future Research
Gray expressed hope that the study's findings will assist beekeepers in planning their apiary management strategies and inspire future research. The study introduces new questions about how integrated pest management can buffer colonies from adverse weather effects, which has implications for climate change adaptation in beekeeping.
Beekeepers and those interested in bee health can explore the Beescape tool on the Penn State Center for Pollinator Research website. This tool helps predict flowering resources and improve local habitats for bees. Additionally, resources on managing Varroa mites and organic beekeeping practices are available from Penn State Extension.
Conclusion
The study underscores the importance of using diverse pest management strategies and understanding environmental factors to support honey bee colony health. By adopting these practices, beekeepers can help ensure their colonies survive the winter and thrive in the long term.
FAQs
Why is winter survival challenging for honey bee colonies?
- Winter conditions can be harsh, leading to a third of managed honey bee colonies dying each winter in the U.S.
What are Varroa mites?
- Varroa mites are tiny parasites that weaken honey bees and spread diseases, significantly impacting colony health.
How can beekeepers improve winter survival rates for their colonies?
- Beekeepers can improve survival rates by using integrated pest management strategies that combine multiple treatments for Varroa mites.
What impact does weather have on bee survival?
- Weather significantly affects bee survival. For instance, summer precipitation can reduce foraging time, leading to less food stored for winter and lower brood production.
What resources are available for beekeepers to manage their colonies?
- Beekeepers can use tools like Beescape and Bee Winterwise, and resources from Penn State Extension, for guidance on managing Varroa mites and improving local habitats for bees.
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