Pollination-dependent industries play an important role in honey bee health. While this may not be directly linked to varroa management, growers can take steps to improve the health of the bees on their properties. This will in turn make these colonies and the honey bee industry as a whole more resilient to varroa. If varroa results in the loss of feral bee colonies that provide free pollination services this will become even more important for businesses that benefit from pollination.
Growers can improve bee health on their properties in several ways:
Practice integrated pest management (IPM)
A major goal of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is to limit use of synthetic chemicals in agricultural systems. Growers of pollinator-reliant crops should also adopt IPM frameworks to reduce pesticide use. Crop pesticides are often applied as sprays, and foraging honey bees and colonies placed nearby may be exposed. Colonies which are weakened by exposure to pesticides may become more susceptible to varroa and other pests and diseases. The same is true of fungicides, which have been shown to impact bee nutrition, negatively affect development of larval bees, and increase viral loads.
Growers should consult with pollination providers regarding the timing of and the chemicals used in their spray programs. This will ensure spraying does not occur when bees are present and perhaps choosing to use more bee friendly chemicals that reduce bee kills.
Provide additional resources for bees
Colonies placed on properties to provide pollination services are susceptible to malnutrition if they are foraging from only one species of flower for extended periods, especially so when the pollen from that flower provides poor nutrition. This means they do not receive all of the nutrients they would usually obtain by foraging from a broad range of plants. Colonies weakened by malnutrition are at greater risk from varroa and other pest and diseases. It’s recommended growers provide additional floral resources on their properties so that the bees providing pollination receive the nutrients required to maintain health. Some growers believe that providing other floral resources will compete for the bees’ attention and decrease pollination of their crop, but enabling colonies to remain strong and grow will achieve higher levels of pollination for the grower.
Provide appropriate sites for bee colonies
As hives are left on orchard sites for several weeks or even months, it is important they are placed on sites that are suitable for maintaining colony vigour. Growers should designate apiary sites on their properties that have appropriate vehicle access, are protected from wind, sun and flooding, and ensure a sufficient water source is present.
Improve pollination contracts
The costs of managing varroa can considerably counteract any profits gained from pollination contracts. Providing colonies for pollination is more expensive with varroa due to the additional management required. Thus, growers will need to ensure that any pollination contract they agree to is fair, and that beekeepers receive sufficient payment to compensate for the costs incurred by varroa and still make a profit. Beekeeping must remain a profitable enterprise, otherwise beekeepers will leave the industry and there will be fewer pollination providers. Some industries that currently use free pollination services may need to start contracting beekeepers to supply the service.
Buy Australian honey
Very few beekeeping businesses in Australia rely solely on pollination income and revenues are supplemented by honey sales. Campaigns to promote Australian honey will hopefully increase demand for it and improve prices. These financial gains will help beekeepers offset the high costs of managing varroa (which are up to a 30% increase in costs) and keeping their businesses afloat. It is vital that beekeeping remains profitable to incentivise beekeepers to stay in the industry and continue to provide pollination services.
Cooperate with the honey bee industry
A robust and healthy honey bee industry is essential for pollinator-reliant industries to succeed. As such, pollinator-reliant industries should work with the honey bee industry on initiatives that improve sustainability for both. For example, development of IPM programs for pollinator-reliant crops or community outreach programs educating growers, beekeepers, and the general public about the relationship between their industries and how they can support each other.
More information
- AgriFutures On Air – Varroa Expert Interview Series: Topic 3 – What does varroa mean for pollination in Australia
Videos
Integrated pest and pollinator management – Wheen Bee Foundation
- BIP panel discussion: pesticides and honey bees, bee informed partnership – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO-onnAk1Yk
- How farmers can protect bees, honey bee health coalition – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmhnyICku4c
- The synergistic effect of pesticides in honey bees, inside the hive tv – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFyqRTidmUI
Acknowledgements
- Holmes, Gerdts, Grassl, Mikeheyev, Roberts, Remnant, Chapman (2024) Resilient beekeeping in the face of Varroa. AgriFutures Australia.
- Varroa – what does it mean for pollination in Australia
- This article was peer-reviewed by Rebecca Sloan and Rod Bourke.
