Improving Survival Success Rates with Honey Bee Colonies through Supportive Cohorts

THE ISSUE is the high number of honeybee colony losses each year, and particularly with newer beekeepers.  The Bee Informed Partner (BIP) has identified over 48% honeybee losses in 2022-2023.  Both the BIP and USDA identify the number one known stressor to colonies are varroa mites (Varroa Destructor). Failing colonies reduce the number of available pollinators within an area, by negatively impacting other honeybee colonies as well as other species of wild bees. According to Cornell University Master Beekeeping studies many ailments are transmitted by the varroa mites such as Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV), Kashmire Bee Virus (KBM), and others. These viruses lower the immunity of the honeybee making them susceptible to additional pathogens that are transferrable to other species such as:  bumble bees (Sacbrood Virus, DWV, Black Queen Cell Virus, ABPV, KBM, chalkbrood), carpenter bees (DWV), mason bees (chalkbrood), leaf cutter bees (chalkbrood), orchard bees (DWV), and others.  When colonies become weak or die (dead out) they are commonly robbed of any/all food resources by other bees.  The bees robbing not only take the food reserves, but indirectly pick up pathogens which they carry back and infect their nests.

Dealing effectively with the varroa mite is challenging, even for experienced beekeepers, and is often a major contributor to the failure of new bee colonies. We know that untreated or poorly treated colonies will be weakened and eventually perish. These infected hives become “mite incubators” creating a cycle for honeybees and other bees in the area to be negatively impacted. Thus, the failure to fully prepare newer beekeepers not only impacts their investment but harms surrounding honeybees and other pollinators.

This project proposal looks to address this issue by focusing on the gaps in knowledge of new(er) beekeepers and their need for on-going support and guidance during their first couple of seasons of beekeeping.  It has been estimated that 80% of new beekeepers quit after their first 3-years of beekeeping due to the inability to keep their bees alive.  The BIP shows a higher annual rate of losses in backyard beekeepers 54.6% versus 47.9% of commercial beekeepers.  A large portion of backyard beekeepers fall into the category of those new to the keeping of bees. 

There are numerous Beekeeping 101 classes, through clubs, universities and online videos, there are few on-going support opportunities for new(er) beekeepers. What is available is inconsistent and often offers conflicting and/or inaccurate information. Some beekeeping clubs and organizations offer assistance but consistent training and mentoring is generally unavailable. Beekeeping 101 classes routinely cover topics such as hive components, beekeeping tools, bee castes, basic behaviors, biology, nutrition, and pests, there is an extremely steep learning curve with beekeeping.  The basics learned in a 101 class are not enough.  It takes time of working with the honeybees to “read” the colony to provide quality stewardship to the honeybee.  We recognize the challenges new beekeepers face with translating the information they gather into practical application.

This proposal is to address the on-going support needs for new(er) beekeepers and provide a model to provide this support.  The model is built on the need for personalized mentoring by using a combination of virtual and in-person interactions. The virtual platform will be timely (1-3 times monthly depending upon the activity of the bees), will be convenient (access anywhere there is Wi-Fi), require minimal time (1.5-hour for each meeting) and be recordable for later review.  A cohort of 30 newer beekeepers (3 years or less experience) will be selected from south central Pennsylvania (primarily Cumberland, Dauphin, York, Adams, and Perry counties) to participate in this project. Participants will have already completed a Beekeeping 101 class and be committed to maintaining their colonies for the duration of the project. Tiffany Ayres, Master Beekeeper, is the Project Leader (PL). She will provide the content and consultation for the cohort primarily through regular, timely virtual meetings. Peer support and team building will be encouraged in addition to reinforce learning and engagement. Some on-site, in-person events will also be part of the curriculum. Virtual meetings will be provided 1-3 times per month depending upon the time of year. Each session will be 1.5 hours with the first portion being a presentation by the PL on the “state of the bees”, or what is happening for bees in the area at that time and what the beekeeper should be doing to care for their bees. The second portion will be a Q&A session with specific questions and problems supplied by members of the cohort. It is anticipated that any question or concern by one member is likely to be relevant to most others, so this provides concrete and timely help. Questions will be coordinated by the assistant with participants encouraged to submit their issues in advance allowing the PL to prepare in-depth and coherent coaching for all.

This project proposal will offer new(er) beekeepers the timely support they seek and help them through the honeybee learning curve process, so, they can better recognize the behavior of the honeybee and the actionable items to address needs.  By taking timely action while managing their honeybees the participants within the project cohort should improve their colony survival numbers and produce healthy quality honeybees ultimately providing more pollination and higher crop yields.  In addition, their healthy hives will have a positive impact on all surrounding bees by limiting the spread of the Varroa mite and the pathogens it carries.

Long term production yield increases for farmers and surrounding communities are positively affected economically; potentially creating jobs for more farm hands, financial stability for the farmer, and a reduction in product costs for the local community.  This project cohort model can then be provided to other beekeeping organizations to utilize on a broad scale, helping to improve our honeybee survival rates across the state.

UPDATE AS OF 11/29/2024

A schedule of virtual meetings and on-site workshops has been established for the duration of the project.  There will be a total of nineteen (19) virtual meetings and three (3) on-site workshops spanning the duration of the project (3/2025 - 4/2026).  Participants will be encouraged to establish smaller cohorts within the participant group to work together over the season.  The schedule outline has specific dates listed and is a "live" working document determining topics to be reviewed over the duration of the project.  Specific timing of topics to evolve as the season unfolds to maintain an accurate current "State of the Bees".  

See Link for Live working schedule outline

Research has been conducted on three of the most popular and economical virtual platforms to utilize for the needs of the program (Zoom, Teams, & Meet).  Zoom Pro ($13.32 per month paid out yearly/or $15.99 monthly) has been determined the best fit for the project due to ease of use, familiarity with platform, and cost.

In addition, a Budget Time Outline for the program has been tentatively laid-out for the project to ensure labor hours remain within the allotted budget parameters.  The first invoice (August, September, and October 2024) has been submitted for reimbursement.