Page 18 - AWA Vol.41-No.6 2025

BEES AND BEEKEEPING

The Impact of Pesticides on Bee Health

Bees are more than just small, buzzing insects in your
backyard. They are the backbone of our ecosystem and
agriculture, playing a vital role in pollination, which
produces a significant portion of the food we consume.
Without bees, many fruits, vegetables, and nuts would
struggle to reproduce, leading to serious consequences
for food production.
Unfortunately, bees are facing numerous threats, and
one major factor impacting their health—and, therefore,
the rest of the environment—is the widespread use of
pesticides. Understanding how pesticides affect bees on the colony.
and exploring alternatives is essential to safeguard their The Environmental Impact
future and, by extension, ours. Discover all you need to
know about the impact of pesticides on bee health and It’s also important to note the wider environmental
learn what you can do to promote more sustainable land‑ consequences when discussing the impact of pesti‑
scaping and agriculture in this guide. cides on bee health. Often, people use pesticides with
the intention of protecting their plants and crops, but
What Are Pesticides and How Do We Use Them? this approach can backfire in significant ways. Bees are
Pesticides are chemicals designed to eliminate or con‑ essential pollinators and critical for the growth and re‑
trol pests that threaten crops, gardens, and green spac‑ production of countless plants. Ecosystems suffer wide‑
es. They come in various forms, such as sprays, pow‑ spread disruption when bee populations decline due to
ders, and granules, targeting everything from insects pesticide exposure.
and weeds to fungi. Their primary purpose is to protect
plants from damage and ensure higher yields for farmers Pollination is essential for maintaining biodiversity and
and gardeners. supporting sustainable growth. Without bees, entire food
chains can start to unravel, impacting plants and the ani‑
Unfortunately, while pesticides are effective against mals that rely on them.
harmful pests, they often lack the precision to target only
harmful creatures. This broad‑spectrum approach means The environmental damage doesn’t stop with bees.
that beneficial insects are often caught in the crossfire, Pesticides affect other pollinators, such as butterflies
such as honey bees and other pollinators. Pesticides are and wasps, as well as smaller organisms that contribute
applied during different stages of plant growth, and their to soil health. Pesticides can contaminate water sources
effects can linger in the environment, affecting non‑tar‑ and spread through the air and soil, harming ecosystems
get species long after their initial application. on a larger scale. The ripple effects go far beyond bee‑
keepers, touching farms, local flora, and the balance of
Pesticides and Bee Deaths nature itself.
One of the most concerning impacts of pesticides is Protecting Plants and Bees
their direct role in bee deaths. Certain chemical com‑
pounds in pesticides are highly toxic to bees, even in Adopting alternatives and responsible practices in pest
trace amounts. These chemicals can interfere with their management is crucial to ensure the well‑being of bees
central nervous system, leading to disorientation, paral‑ while maintaining healthy plants. Protecting both does
ysis, and eventually death. not require compromising one for the other. By taking
Bees exposed to pesticide-laden plants may fail to re‑ proactive steps, individuals and communities can create
an environment where pollinators can thrive alongside
turn to their hives, leaving colonies to struggle without flourishing crops and gardens.
their foragers. Moreover, the ones that survive direct ex‑
posure still bring contaminated pollen and nectar back Use Eco-Friendly Formulas
to their hives. This compromises the health of the entire Using natural or eco‑friendly formulas is one of the most
colony, often leading to mass fatalities that are difficult for effective ways to manage pests without harming pollina‑
beekeepers to recover from. tors. These products avoid toxic chemicals and rely on
Other Colony Issues natural ingredients that pose no risk to bees or other
The negative effects of pesticides extend well beyond beneficial insects. Such options often break down quick‑
individual bee deaths, creating widespread challenges ly in the environment, reducing the likelihood of long-
for entire colonies. Colonies experience a significant term harm. By choosing these safer alternatives, garden‑
reduction in their workforce when large numbers of for‑ ers and farmers can protect plants in a way that aligns
aging bees fail to return or succumb to pesticide toxins. with the preservation of important ecosystems.
With fewer bees gathering nectar and pollen, productiv‑ Apply Pesticides in Evenings
ity plummets, and the survival of the hive is put at risk. Timing is everything when it comes to using pesticides,
Pesticides can also weaken the hive’s defenses against and one simple way to protect bees is by applying them
diseases. Many colonies exposed to pesticides are more during the evening hours. Bees are most active during
susceptible to brood diseases, such as fungal or bacteri‑ the day, foraging for nectar and pollen to bring back to
al infections that target larvae. These health challenges the hive. By applying pesticides in the evening, when
prevent colonies from developing strong and thriving bees are less active, you reduce their exposure to harm‑
generations of bees, further threatening their existence. ful chemicals. This small adjustment in timing can make a
The impact is cyclical; each stressor, from decreased for‑ significant difference in the well-being of local bee pop‑
agers to weakened immune systems, amplifies the strain ulations. Circle 23 on enquiry card
16 Vol. 41 No. 6