Bee Informed Partnership Beekeeper Surveys

MILLION COLONIES MILLION COLONIES

“15% loss is the highest sustainable level for those whose living depends on beekeeping” Marla Spivak Dept of Entomology University of Minnesota

“Among backyard beekeepers – defined as those who manage fewer than 50 colonies – a clear culprit in losses is the Varroa mite” “Backyard beekeepers were more prone to heavy mite infestations, but we believe that is because a majority of them are not taking appropriate steps to control mites”

THE NUMBER OF BEEKEEPERS IS DECLINING AS THE HONEY BEE POPULATION DECLINES

Hobbyists quickly become discouraged by heavy losses and quit beekeeping Commercial beekeepers are an aging demographic As aging commercial beekeepers retire they are not being replaced by new young commercial beekeepers

“Commercial beekeepers were particularly prone to summer losses. But they typically take more aggressive action against Varroa mites, so there must be other factors at play.” Dennis vanEngelsdorp Dept of Entomology University of Maryland

PesticidesVarroa In hive miticides Flowerless landscape Diseases Monoculture agriculture Multiple, Interacting Causes of Honey Bee Deaths

Pesticides: Active ingredients listed Inert ingredients not listed (often toxic) Human medications: Active ingredients listed Inert ingredients listed

NOT HARMFUL to honey bees GMOs allow the use of herbicides which kill other flowering plants

NECTAR - Carbohydrates POLLEN -protein, lipids, vitamins WATER Healthy honey bees: - able to detoxify pesticides - better able to survive cold weather

Absence of of flowering plants creates “food deserts” Result: unhealthy bees varietiesabundant

Unhealthy honey bees: - Less able to detoxify pesticides - Compromised immune systems -More susceptible to various viruses -Less hardy in both winter & summer

RESULT: HIGH ANNUAL COLONY MORTALITY