Beekeeping is a rewarding venture, but new beekeepers may easily become overwhelmed by all the considerations that go into keeping bees. Habitat loss, nutritional deficiencies, pesticide exposure, parasites, pathogens, and harsh weather are some of the main causes of concern for bee health. Parasites, improper nutrition and pesticide exposure are compounding issues that can make colonies more susceptible to disease.
The following practices are recommended to improve overall pollinator health and minimize hive loss in managed bees. Some practices apply only to the most common managed bee, the European honey bee (Apis mellifera), but many also apply to bumble bees kept for greenhouse pollination (typically
Bombus impatiens).