The 2024 Queensland Pollination Season is upon us and we've prepared a few useful tips for beekeepers and growers to help manage the 'buzzy' season ahead.

Tip 1. Communication is key. Beekeepers and growers should use the BeeConnected app. 

Tip 2. Get the neighbours connected too! Increasing the visibility of bees on farm protects the safety and wellbeing of bees whilst providing pollination services. 

Tip 3. Be mindful of crop protection activities. Sprays to manage pests and disease can be harmful to bees while the hives are on site and often chemical residues can penetrate the brood wax causing unexpected colony loss long after the pollination event has occurred. 

Tip 4. In the event of any unexpected or unexplained bee deaths: 

1. Collect a sample of bees to be tested and send them to the Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory  Phone: 07 3708 8762
2. Start a conversation with the grower/beekeeper. Keep it rational
3. Lodge an Adverse Experience Report with the APVMA (Click here to learn more)
4. Remember it's in everyone's best interest to understand what has happened and to develop a collective understanding of how to prevent the issue arising in the future. 
5. Consider these additional points: 

• The chemical may not have been used on the farm the bees are located on
• The dew may have reconstituted the chemical 
• Lethal dose of chemicals may not be detectable in some Lab tests. Collect a reasonable sample and if in doubt call the lab.