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Updated: Oct 29, 2025
Assessing Agrochemical Risk to Mated Honey Bee Queens
Published on: March 3, 2021
Beekeeping management practices in southwestern Quebec.
Gabrielle Claing1, Pascal Dubreuil1, Julie Ferland1
1Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 2M2 (Claing, Dubreuil, Arsenault); Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 4X6 (Claing, Ferland); Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault, Deschambault, Quebec G0A 1S0 (Bernier).
Canadian beekeepers manage diverse honey bee colonies using varied disease control methods. Most prefer preventive strategies over chemical treatments to combat infectious diseases, highlighting a need for standardized approaches.
Area of Science:
- Apiculture
- Veterinary Entomology
- Disease Management
Background:
- Increasing honey bee colony numbers and beekeeper diversity in Canada necessitate consistent disease control measures.
- Varied beekeeping practices exist across regions, impacting disease management strategies.
- Effective disease control is crucial for the health and sustainability of honey bee populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document current honey bee disease management practices in southwestern Quebec, Canada.
- To identify the range of strategies employed by beekeepers in response to infectious diseases.
- To assess the utilization of diagnostic tools and chemical treatments by beekeepers.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted with 15 beekeepers managing 1824 honey bee colonies in southwestern Quebec.
- Data on disease management practices were collected via telephone interviews.
- The study focused on beekeepers' approaches to suspected infectious diseases.
Main Results:
- Beekeepers demonstrated a wide variety of operation sizes and management strategies.
- Preventive, physical, or management methods were generally preferred over potentially toxic acaricides and chemical treatments.
- Laboratory diagnosis for infectious diseases was rarely utilized by surveyed beekeepers.
- A tendency to avoid treatments associated with antimicrobial resistance was observed.
Conclusions:
- There is a significant diversity in beekeeping operations and disease management strategies in southwestern Quebec.
- The study indicates a need to promote available support services for beekeepers.
- A standardized preventive medical approach is recommended for field veterinarians to mitigate the spread of infectious honey bee diseases.
