We test for residues in a variety of bee life stages and bee products.
However, the issue is not simply finding a laborotory who can do the work
under contract.  Depending on the residues, entirely different
instrumentation, extraction procedures, etc. are involved.  Few labs
would be able to cover it all, rather they will specialize in certain
types of residues or matrices.  Nor can a lab that routinely analyzes
environmental samples necessarily do an accurate and precise job with
honey, pollen, bees, wax, propolis, etc.  The problem is that each of
these hive components presents unique problems.
 
For example, honey is sticky and varies considerably in terms of moisture
content.  Do you dry the honey?  and if so, how?  Do you use a "wet
sample"?  and if so, how do you accurately transfer it?
 
As for bees, do  you wash or not wash them prior to processing?  How were
they preserved?  If you are interested in organics, bees are fatty.  The
fat crudes up the columns.  Too much fat, and you can throw the column
away.  Clean up too much of the fat, and you throw the residue of
interest away.
 
 
A laboratory capable of looking for antibiotics in honey probably does
not have the capability or interest in conducting an analysis for
fluvalinate, one is a microbiological issue, the other organic chemistry.
 
Thus, you may wish to categorize your needs and rank any responding
laboratories according to their capabilities, experience, and costs.
 
Jerry Bromenshenk
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT  59812-1002
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