Research

The NHBA Research Committee promotes and works to improve honeybee health in New Hampshire.   The research has two different forms, NH Honey Bee Health Citizen Science Projects and donations to research projects.

Citizen Science Projects

Winter Hive Survey

Since 2017, NHBA has run a Winter Hive Loss Survey to better understand the trends in NH bee colony losses. The Winter 2021-22 Colony Survival Rate was 41%.

2021-22 Winter Hive Survey is open. Last day survey will be open is 4/30/2022. Please report your losses. It will help us better understand how to what is happening to our honeybees and management.

You can view survey results and analysis at
https://www.nh-honeybee-health.com/winter-loss-survey-results

NH Healthy Hives 2021  – HoneyBee Nutrition

NH is Blooming is focused on honeybee nutrition and being led by Deb Slocum.   The goal of the project is to build a database of when plants, trees, shrubs, etc. are blooming and whether pollinators are collecting from them. 

We are asking beekeepers to note the color of pollen being brought into the hives and submit those observations.  We have engaged garden clubs and school science programs to help us collect information.  Observations started to be recorded on 4/1/2020.

More information can be found at  
https://www.nh-is-blooming.com/  

Where you will find: 

  • sample observation spreadsheets 
  • how to submit the info online, by email or USPS mail  
  • see what is blooming in your area  
  • flower guides/references, etc.  

 Question about this project can be sent to nh.is.blooming@gmail.com

Deadout CSI Data collection

A key component to understanding our hive loss is so high is  to start collecting the observations people are making when they autopsy their deadouts.   We have put together a hive-side checklist to record what you see as you go through the dead hive.    

Details and a checklist can be found at  
https://www.nh-honeybee-health.com/deadout-autopsy

NH Healthy Hives 2019 (on going)

This is a new multi-year initiative to promote healthy hive management.  Each year there will be a specific management theme to focus on.  The theme for April 2019- March 2020 is “Varroa Mite Testing”.  The goal is to get more beekeepers (whether they treat or not) to do testing and make them more aware of their varroa situation. 

More information can be found at https://www.nh-honeybee-health.com/mite-testing

Where you will find: 

  • instructional videos
  • the tracking spreadsheet  

Outside Research

Project Apis-M

Project Apis-M funds honeybee research ($340K in 2013).

  • Past research has included:
    • Additional cost sharing for the pesticide testing
    • On line learning programs through the University of California
    • Many studies on migratory bees and the almond pollination

Their website: http://www.projectapism.org has education material (including videos), research reports and a lot of other interesting information.

For more information visit: https://www.projectapism.org/

Randy Oliver

For more information visit: http://www.scientificbeekeeping.com

Dr. Samuel Ramsey

For more information visit: https://www.drsammy.online/

Bee Informed Partnership

For more information visit: https://beeinformed.org/