California Ag Network

Tag: honey bee health

  • New Pesticides Could Better Control Mite Disease in Honey Bees

    The Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is a parasite of the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) and is considered one of the species’ most serious threats, inflicting more damage and higher economic costs than all other bee keeping diseases. Varroa mites harbor numerous viruses and feed on honey bee adults and pupae, causing weakened immune systems, decreased body weight, and a shortened lifespan. The external wounds caused by repeated feeding can become infected with bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

    ARS researchers at the Bee Research Lab tested numerous pesticides for the chemical control of Varroa mites, and screened 40 compounds of samples in the lab (and three in the field). They documented how the viruses, carried by the mites, move within honey bee colonies and play key roles in bee-to-bee transmission. Through this research, two promising miticides were identified to manage the Varroa mite. This ARS research could lead to new management techniques that can minimize bee losses, reduce bee keeper and crop pollination costs, and ensure food security for all Americans. —By USDA Ag Research Service

  • Best Practices for Nighttime Applications

    Honey bee health remains a top priority for almond growers as bloom approaches. According to the Almond Board of California’s Honey Bee Best Management Practices (BMP), one of the most effective ways to reduce bee exposure to crop protection materials is to schedule applications during the evening or nighttime hours, when foraging bees have returned to their hives. The BMPs also emphasize strong communication among growers, beekeepers, PCAs, and applicators to ensure everyone involved knows when applications will occur and can coordinate accordingly.

    Working after dark though can be dangerous. While doing so helps to reduce pollinator exposure to applications, it also requires growers to operate within California’s specific nighttime safety regulations.

    Understanding Nighttime Safety Requirements

    California’s Outdoor Agricultural Operations During Hours of Darkness standards apply to all agricultural work occurring between sunset and sunrise. These regulations require growers to ensure adequate visibility throughout the work environment. Orchard areas, walkways, and paths to restrooms must meet minimum illumination levels measured directly where workers walk or perform tasks.

    Additionally, equipment such as trucks, tractors, and other self-propelled machinery must have headlights and rear lights capable of illuminating at least 50 feet ahead and behind, improving safety for both operators and ground crews. These lighting requirements help reduce the risks posed by diminished nighttime visibility, especially when work involves multiple people and moving equipment.

    Preparing Crews with Pre‑Shift Safety Meetings

    Before each night shift begins, California regulations require supervisors to hold a safety meeting to review important site information. Workers must be informed of the locations of restrooms, drinking water, designated break areas, nearby bodies of water, and high traffic zones. Because nighttime conditions can make familiar surroundings more difficult to navigate, these meetings ensure workers can safely move around the orchard and are aware of any specific hazards.

    Employers are also required to provide and ensure the use of Class 2 high‑visibility garments, helping equipment operators maintain awareness of workers on the ground. Review the Outdoor Agricultural Operations During Hours of Darkness fact sheet for more information and all of the requirements.

    A Unified Approach for Safer, More Effective Operations

    When growers pair honey bee protection guidelines with the required safety measures for nighttime work, the result is a more sustainable and efficient approach to orchard management. Bees remain safely inside their hives during nighttime applications, greatly reducing their exposure to crop protection materials. At the same time, crews can work confidently and safely under proper lighting, with clear preparation and the right equipment.

    As bloom approaches, these practices support the long‑standing commitment of the almond industry to safeguard both pollinators and people. This thoughtful balance ensures that orchards remain not only productive, but also safe and welcoming places for the bees that sustain them. To learn more about protecting pollinators, download the ABC Honey Bee Best Management Practices guide. — Article and image courtesy of Almond Board of California

  • Developing a New Phone App that Detects Bee Diseases

    RS researchers are looking to help U.S. beekeepers better detect and treat their honey bee populations. Honey bees are important pollinators in agriculture. With an estimated 50–80% of crops pollinated by honey bees, they generate approximately $20 billion annually in market value in the United States alone. However, pathogens and the Varroa destructor parasitic mite threaten their health, costing the industry over $500 million each year.

    Commercial beekeepers face challenges in protecting their hives from bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases. Accurate diagnosis of brood disease, especially distinguishing European Foulbrood (EFB), a bacterial disease, from viral infections with symptoms similar to EFB, remains challenging and time consuming. Misdiagnosis often results in inappropriate antibiotic use, leading to increased antimicrobial resistant bacteria and significant disruption of the honey bees’ gut microbiome.

    In a published study, researchers at the ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center in Tucson, AZ, developed an image-based artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic tool to rapidly identify and differentiate between bacterial and viral infections in honey bee brood. Over many years, the researchers collaborated with apiary inspectors and university extension agents to generate a dataset of 2,759 honey bee larvae images gathered from multiple apiaries. Each image was paired with definitive molecular evidence of viral or bacterial infection.

    Using image analysis, the proof-of-concept models achieved 73–88% accuracy in identifying the diseases.

    “This study represents a significant step toward addressing the challenge of brood disease diagnosis, which has traditionally relied on visual inspection by experienced apiarists with variable accuracy,” said ARS Research Microbiologist Duan Copeland.

    “AI models can provide rapid, objective disease diagnostics which can reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics and preserve the integrity of the gut microbiome, a significant contributor to colony health in commercial beekeeping operations.”

    According to Copeland, the goal is to develop a phone-app diagnostic tool whereby beekeepers can upload photos and receive accurate diagnoses in seconds. The findings show promise, but more research and development are required to produce field-ready diagnostic tools. Future research will focus on including all major bee pathogens and extending landscape representation throughout the U.S.

    The research was funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative grant and conducted in collaboration with Apiary Inspectors of America, Michigan State University, and the ARS Bee Research Laboratory. – by Jessica Ryan, ARS Office of Communications

  • Inaugural $100,000 Grant Program to Advance Honey Bee Health and Beekeeping Innovation

    Sweet Harvest Foods, the largest producer of raw, unfiltered honey and parent company of Nate’s Honey and Nate’s Hives, today announced the launch of Nate’s Hives Research Grant Program, reinforcing its commitment to advance the long-term success and sustainability of honey bees and the honey industry through science, innovation and collaboration.

    The program will provide up to $100,000 in annual funding for research projects that strengthen honey bee health, improve sustainable beekeeping practices, and drive innovation in pollination practices and across the honey supply chain. Proposals may be submitted by academic institutions, nonprofit organizations and industry researchers, with funding available for projects up to three years in duration.

    “As the industry leader in honey and a top apiary, we believe scale brings both responsibility and opportunity, and the honey industry’s future depends on science and collaboration,” said Michael Carle, Chief Executive Officer of Sweet Harvest Foods. “Through the Nate’s Hives Research Grant Program, we’re investing in the kind of research that will strengthen honey bee health, advance sustainable beekeeping practices and support pollination, a more resilient food ecosystem and the honey industry. Innovation has always been central to how we operate and it’s more important now than ever to fuel continued progress.”

    Proposals may address one or more of the following areas of focus: honey bee health, sustainable beekeeping practices, environmental impacts, supply chain innovation, consumer demand and nutritional impacts, or trade policy and production economics. Each submission will be evaluated by a volunteer review board composed of Sweet Harvest Foods employees and external experts from academia and the beekeeping industry.

    “At Nate’s Hives, we believe science can and should shape the future of beekeeping,” said Matt Halbgewachs, president of Nate’s Hives. “This grant program puts that belief into action and empowers researchers to uncover solutions that help honey bees and beekeepers everywhere. By linking researched insights with on-the-ground experience, we accelerate progress for honey bees, beekeepers, farmers and consumers alike.”

    Applications are due March 1, 2026, with awards announced on April 15, 2026. For full eligibility details, proposal requirements and submission instructions, visit nateshives.com/research-grant-program.

    About Sweet Harvest Foods

    We believe in making life a little sweeter. As the leading procurer of honey in the U.S., Sweet Harvest Foods provides the highest-quality ingredients for some of the most iconic brands and beloved products. That’s a serious responsibility, which is why we keep innovating and setting higher standards in quality, taste and reliability. Sweet Harvest Foods is bolstered by its ownership of Nate’s Honey, the number-one branded honey, and Nate’s Hives, a top U.S. apiary. Join us on our mission to lead the honey industry by innovating from the hive to beyond the kitchen. For more information, visit www.sweetharvestfoods.com.