23.2% of managed colonies died over this past winter according to the Bee Informed Partnership. This is the 8th year the survey has been conducted in collaboration with AIA and USDA. The acceptable range, or what is considered sustainable by beekeepers, is indicated by the blue bars which is in the 15% to 18% range. While bee deaths are down from the previous year, this survey data shows over-wintering losses and does not include summer and fall colony deaths.      Graph courtesy of BIP

  

Honey bee health is a land use issue. More acreage needs to be set aside for pollinator habitat. Lands under the Departments of Interior, Defense and Transportation could provide vast acreage of potential honey bee habitat. Geographical areas of concentration should be in two prime areas where bees migrate - to California October through March for almond pollination and then to the Northern Praire during the summer to build honey stores for over-wintering. Federal agencies could provide greater incentives for private landowners to consider honey bee forage plantings. CRP land should be expanded. USDA-NRCS needs to improve plant species recommendations for honey bees. A new perspective on invasive species should be adopted. Yellow sweet clover in the Prairie Region and mustards in the West will build honey bee health.

   

The Pellston Conference strategies for risk assessment should be implemented. The EPA should follow up on conditional registrations. Evaluations of sub-lethal effects, combinations of pesticides commonly used together, and adjuvants should be required. Pesticide product labels need to be improved to protect pollinators. Pest Control Advisors need better training in honey bee biology and safe use of crop protection tools when bees are present.

   

Government-sponsored public outreach is needed to bring attention to the importance of honey bees to the food supply, the decline in honey bee health, and areas of opportunity to help honey bees (pollinator gardens, donating to honey bee research, and corporate initiatives to help the honey bee).

   

Federal agencies should consult directly with beekeepers and honey bee experts on programs intended to help honey bees. Honey bees are a unique species with specific needs, while at the same time uniquely contributing to our food supply. Honey bees need to be considered separately from other invertebrates and other animals in setting policies. Additionally, the President's FY2014 budget proposal to increase honey bee research should be supported.

   

Beekeepers in the Granite State have kindly donated to Project Apis m. The New Hampshire Beekeepers Association's funding will help support research projects.  PAm is supporting honey bee health studies in 18 states and the U.K. Click on the NHBA logo to learn more about their club. Thank you!