Unfortunately not too well! The mortality rate among Belgian honey bees has risen for the second year in a row according to research conducted by the Federal Food Safety Agency, the FAVV. Last year, almost a third (27.2 per cent) of bees did not survive the year. The year before, the figure was a fifth (21.8 per cent). Major causes of the high mortality are the Varroa mite and European foulbrood, a disease affecting bees.
The FAVV visits Belgian beekeepers 3 times a year to monitor bee mortality. During the period 2022-2023, 179 apiaries with a total of 742 bee colonies were checked. During the first visit in the autumn, when colonies are preparing for winter, the healthy colonies most likely to survive the winter were selected.
The hives were visited again in the spring, when the bees start to search for food and again in the summer. During those visits, the mortality rate in the colonies was noted. In the 2022-2023 period, the mortality rate stood at 27.2 per cent.
Varroa mite and foulbrood as culprits
The main cause of death remains the varroa mite, a parasite that targets bees and their brood. Last year, 20 outbreaks of European foulbrood were also identified. This is a bee disease caused by a bacterium (Melissococcus plutonius) that mainly affects young larvae.
European foulbrood is on the rise. 2 years ago, only 4 sources of the outbreak were found. If the disease is discovered in an apiary, the colonies are usually partially or completely destroyed to prevent further spread. Last year, this happened 17 times.
All Belgian beekeepers (10,428 in total) are registered with the FAVV. This allows the agency to intervene quickly when diseases and pests are circulating.
World Bee Day
Today, 20 May, is World Bee Day. The day is an initiative of the United Nations, which wants to highlight the importance of bees for nature conservation.
People who want to help bees can do so by no longer mowing the lawn, but planting flower beds, preferably with honey-bearing plants that contain a lot of food for bees. You can also plant flowers like these on a balcony.
On hot days, you can also place a bowl with water and pebbles outside. In this way, the bees can drink safely without drowning in the bowl!