THE BEE BOX
2017–2018 Colony Loss Survey Results: What Can We Say?
Prior to 2006, there was no
regular, standardized survey to
quantify and document honey bee
colony losses in U.S. operations.
At the height of Colony Collapse
Disorder (CCD) in 2006 and 2007,
the Apiary Inspectors of America
took it upon themselves to survey
as many commercial operations
as they could by phone. In total,
384 operations were contacted
and the annual winter loss survey
was born. The survey continued
in that phone format for several
years until the 2009-10 survey.
At that time, the basic winter loss
questions were available in an
online survey. In 2011, the Bee
Informed Partnership was granted
funds to expand and create an
online survey of convenience for
all U.S. beekeepers. This initial
online survey took place in 2011
and we began to include questions
beyond the degree and extent of
losses. We also began to link, and
continue to do so, management
practices associated with increased
survivorship. These management
practices include treatments,
supplemental feeds, and timing and
dosage of such, but also asks what
crops are nearby, if the operation
engaged in pollination services,
how much honey the average
colony makes and many other
factors. Furthermore, the survey
now also looks at summer losses,
building on the initial winter and
annual losses. With this survey,
we are able to track differences
in losses between commercial,
Pacific northwest colonies located near blooming turnips, one of the many pollination events our beekeepers participate in.
Photo courtesy of the Bee Informed Partnership.
IN YOUR ORCHARD
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A L M O N D F A C T S
