The CCD working group has not ruled out beekeeper pesticides as a
contributing factor, nor has it implicated it other than to say that
changing and/or lowering pesticides put into the hive is one of the things a
beekeeper can do to improve the overall health of the colonies. 



There is growing evidence that a number
of factors, including IAPV, pesticides,
varroa mites and other stress factors such
as poor nutrition are most likely involved
in the overall declining health of honey bee
colonies in the US. 

However at this time,
members of the CCD working team agree
that there are steps that can be taken to
help minimize stress on honey bee
colonies and to improve their chances for
survival.

1. Monitor and control varroa mite populations
using “soft” chemicals. These soft
chemicals include formic acid (Mite-
Away II®), Apiguard®, and Apilife var®.

2. Reduce pathogen and pesticide build-up
in combs by regularly culling old comb,
recycling comb and/or irradiation of old
comb. This is particularly recommended
for dead-out colonies.

3. Fluvalinate should only be used as a
material of last resort. Use of off-label
products should NOT be considered.

4. If coumaphos must be used, only the registered
product, CheckMite+® should be
considered.

5. Communicate with growers where bees
are used for pollination to minimize
colony exposure to agricultural-use pesticides.
Some pesticide labels permit
application during blooming periods,
but this is definitely not the best procedure
for honey bee safety, so work with
your grower.

6. Monitor and control Nosema disease
using fumagillin.

American Bee Journal June 2008

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