Results of Queen
Bee Questionnaire to Date
Demographics of Respondents
- 30 States, 5 foreign countries
- Average number of colonies 150
- 71% of beekeepers kept less than 25 colonies.
- Average number of years keeping bees 9.8 years
Races of Bees Preferred
- 68% Italian
- 22% Carniolan
- 4% Caucasian
- 3% German Black
- 3% Other
- 0% Africanized
- 70% Have tried more than one race of bee.
Top Characteristic Desired in Bees
- 31% Gentleness
- 28% honey production
- 19% Varroa mite resistance
- 8% Tracheal mite resistance
- 6% Brood production
- 5% Swarming
- 3% Wintering
Problems Encountered
- 39% Supersedure
- 27% Problems finding queens
- 24% Problems with queen introduction
- 21% Queens stopped laying
- 15% Problems with laying workers
- 12% Drone laying queens
- 12% Queen not released from cage
- 9% Queens arrived dead
- 9% Queens swarmed
Biggest problems Facing Beekeepers in Their
Area
- Varroa mites
- Chemical resistant mites
- Low honey prices
- Tracheal mites
- Pesticides
- Drought and weather problems
- Africanized bees
- Loss of bee forage
- Queen availability
Questionnaire
