A widespread but easily fixable mistake in treating honey bee parasites is leading to unnecessary colony deaths across England and Wales, according to new research published in Entomologia Generalis. The study reveals that more than a third of beekeepers are missing crucial treatment windows for controlling destructive Varroa mites, resulting in preventable colony losses.
“The main finding here was that a major cause of honeybee mortality could, in theory, be quite easy to reduce,” said Dr. Thomas O’Shea-Wheller, lead author from the University of Exeter. “We talk a lot about honey bee colony losses in terms of novel diseases and emerging threats, but this is actually something that’s been under our nose the whole time.”
The research team analyzed data from 4,339 beekeepers managing 18,700 colonies across 37 counties from 2016 to 2020. Their findings show that following recommended treatment schedules is just as crucial as choosing the right treatment.
“Although beekeepers are frequently treating for Varroa, a considerable proportion are missing key time points and thus experiencing higher losses than expected,” said Dr. O’Shea-Wheller. The timing is critical because of how mite populations grow throughout the season. “Mite numbers build up across the season in a kind of exponential curve. You have to target this at key junctures in order to achieve effective control.”
The Varroa destructor mite feeds on bee larvae and can destroy entire colonies if left unchecked. The study found that mistimed treatments were ineffective regardless of the medication used, as they failed to properly suppress mite populations at crucial points in their growth cycle.
Beyond immediate colony losses, incorrect treatment timing poses another serious risk. “Varroa has been the primary cause of honey bee mortality for some years, and it seems that we’re in a sort of arms race as the mites become increasingly resistant to acaricides,” Dr. O’Shea-Wheller explained. “Like with antibiotics, it’s important to use Varroa treatments precisely as directed, because mistiming, overdosing, or underdosing can all increase the chances of the mites developing resistance.”
The research utilized the National Bee Unit’s BeeBase registry to gather comprehensive data about treatment practices and outcomes. The findings suggest that better education about proper treatment timing could significantly reduce bee colony losses across the region.
For beekeepers, the message is clear: when it comes to protecting honey bees from parasitic mites, timing isn’t just important—it’s everything.
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