Current Research

BIP Tech Transfer Team Sampling

Picture
Tech Transfer Teams are trained field agents who offer regular on-site hive inspections and sampling for large commercial beekeepers.  The data they collect help provide large-scale beekeepers with the knowledge to make management decisions to maintain healthy colonies.

Colony Loss and National Management Survey

Picture
One of the Bee Informed Partnership’s major focuses is to bring together several disciplines to study ways to keep honey bee colonies healthy. One way we try to help all beekeepers is by conducting annual surveys and sharing the results with the beekeeping community.

National Honey Bee Survey

Picture
The APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) NHBS is nation wide survey based on testing biological samples for disease, pests, and pesticide analysis. 

Sentinel Hives

Picture
The Sentinel Hive Program is new initiative being launched out of our lab to serve as an early warning system for apiary health.  This project involves monitoring multiple attributes of colony health to asses for indicators of stress on the hive.  To asses colony health we will monitor the weight of the hive which serves as an indicator of honey flows, dearths, swarming, etc.  We will also monitor for varroa mites and nosema, and nutritional availability through pollen sampling.

Real-Time Disease Load Monitoring

Picture
The Real-Time Disease Load Monitoring is a monitoring program of colony health that involves monthly sampling for varroa, nosema and pollen.  The results of these sampling are then provided to beekeepers to make timely changes to any adverse conditions that may be affecting their colonies.