Intake of crop protection products to the colony

Beekeepers often consider that residues of agricultural pesticides applied to mass-flowering crops cause winter colony losses. Our priority is not on testing for direct poisoning, something that may be easily recognised following inappropriate application of plant protection products, but rather on the extent of contamination with agrochemicals brought into the hive as pollen and nectar, and their subsequent impact on colony health.  Special focus is given to agrochemicals applied as seed dressings and to other insecticides applied to oilseed rape.

For more information, see this document (German).