Increasing the survival rate in beekeeping

The purpose of the experiment was to determine the effect of the bioproduct BIOCHLOFEEDⓇ on the survival rate of bee colonies in winter.

The objectives of the experiment included:

Introduce BIOCHLOFEEDⓇ biotechnology for feeding bee colonies;
Make appropriate observations and records;
To study the practical impact of BIOCHLOFEEDⓇ biotechnology on the winter hardiness of bee colonies

Description of the experiment

For honey bees, the winter period is the most difficult, when up to 25% of bee colonies die. During this period, many bee colonies weaken and develop slowly in the spring, which leads to a decrease in productivity. Therefore, we decided to conduct an experiment on the effect of BIOH bioproduct on the winter hardiness of bee colonies.

The object of the study was bee colonies of the Central Russian breed in the Medoletto apiary (Lipetsk region). To conduct the experiment during the period of replenishing food supplies for the winter, three groups of bee colonies were formed (1 experimental and 2 control).

The bees were fed on September 15, 2020 and September 30, 2020.

The number of honeycombs, the strength of families in the streets, and the supply of food in the nest were studied in bee colonies. Winter hardiness was assessed by the winter loss of bees.

First group (Experimental):

During the feeding period, each bee colony received 2 liters of sugar syrup and 250 ml of the bioproduct BIOCHLOFEEDⓇ

Second group (Control):

During the feeding period, each bee colony received 2 liters of sugar syrup and the feed additive Stimovit (Russia) at the rate of 20 g/2 liters of syrup.

Third group (Control):

During the feeding period, each bee colony received 2 liters of sugar syrup.

Morphoproductive indicators before feeding (September 15, 2020)

Number of honeycombs in the nest: first group - 7.11 pcs., second group - 7.11 pcs., third group - 7.11 pcs. Strength of the family (streets): first group - 7.89, second group - 7.87, third group - 7.92.
Feed supply: first group - 18.25 kg, second group - 17.36 kg, third group - 37.44 kg.

Morphoproductive indicators after feeding (during the autumn inspection on October 31, 2020)

Number of honeycombs in the nest: first group - 12.14 pcs., second group - 7.13 pcs., third group - 7.13 pcs.
Strength of the family (streets): first group - 7.62, second group - 17.54, third group - 14.32.
Feed supply: first group - 17.42 kg, second group - 19.66 kg, third group - 18.45 kg.

Winter hardiness and honey consumption (at spring revision March 12, 2020)

Winter hardiness: first group - 83.2%, second group - 68.5%, third group - 53.7%.
Honey consumption over the winter: first group - 5.12 kg, second group - 4.33 kg, third group - 2.92 kg.
Honey consumption per street: first group - 0.82 kg, second group - 0.96 kg, third group - 0.47 kg.

Main conclusions:

Thus, the use of bioproduct BIOCHLOFEEDⓇ in beekeeping allows:

Increases the winter hardiness of bee colonies by 15% or more;
Accelerates the spring development of bee colonies, which leads to increased productivity.