What can we do to save honey bees?

By Marla Spivak, University of Minnesota Extension

Diseases, parasitic mites, pesticides and agricultural practices are some of the factors contributing to the decline of honey bees in the U.S. It’s no wonder bees are suffering.

But the biggest question remains: Is the collapse of honey bee colonies this year due to yet another factor? Is there a new disease afflicting bees? Are the effects of new classes of pesticides contributing to bee deaths? Why are the bees leaving the colony and not returning? What is the so-called colony collapse disorder?

Scientists across the nation are trying to figure this out. It is unclear why so many bee colonies are dying, and the name colony collapse disorder is a placeholder until more information can be determined for certain. Most likely, the bees are dying from a number of contributing factors that collectively place an enormous burden on the immune and detoxification systems of bees, eventually putting them over the edge.

What can you do? Don’t panic. Educate yourself. If you’re not a beekeeper, please appreciate the bees in our environment. Spread the word about the benefits of bees. Support research and Extension efforts to promote the health of honey bees. Or learn to keep bees yourself.

What is the University of Minnesota doing about the problem?
Entomologist Gary Reuter, students and I focus all of our research and Extension efforts on keeping bees healthy. We teach several classes to the public, including keeping bees in northern climates, and raising and breeding queen bees. A new online course titled “Healthy Bees” will be available by May 1(www.extension.umn.edu/honeybees). It will deal exclusively with beekeeping management techniques that can be used to prevent and mitigate disease and mite transmission.

In addition, the U of M Bee Lab website has education materials on how to protect bees from pesticides, as well as many general beekeeping practices. The research efforts in my lab concentrate on breeding bees for hygienic behavior, a mechanism of resistance against bee diseases and parasitic mites. We are also researching ways to bolster the immune system of bees.

For more information, visit www.extension.umn.edu/honeybees.

Marla Spivak is an entomologist specializing in apiculture with University of Minnesota Extension.