FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Over the past few years we have received numerous inquiries about bees from beekeepers, homeowners, gardeners and others. Chances are someone else has asked a question that you have. Take a look and see if you can find the answer. If not, feel free to send us an email and we will be happy to help you.
- I found a swarm in my tree. Will you come remove it?
- The E.L. Niño Bee Lab does not provide swarm removal services.
For swarm removal assistance, please contact your local beekeeping association. In the Sacramento region, the Sacramento Beekeepers Association maintains a list of beekeepers who provide swarm retrieval services.
Please visit the CAMBP Bee Removal Page for more information.
- I think my bees have a disease. Can the lab test them?
- The E.L. Niño Bee Lab does not accept potentially contaminated hive samples, in order to prevent disease spread and cross-contamination.
However, you may consider:
• USDA Honey Bee Lab (Maryland) – Free testing for pests, parasites, and pathogens
• Bee Vectoring Systems
• Genotyping Center
Note:
• Recently dead bees must be preserved in alcohol.
• Turnaround times may vary. - I suspect my hive died from pesticide exposure. What should I do?
- Step 1 – Document Everything
• Take photos and videos
• Collect dead bees (from both affected and unaffected colonies)
• Collect a small amount of bee bread
• Freeze samples at –20°C minimum
Step 2 – Choose an Appropriate Action Path
• California Department of Pesticide Regulation
- 24-hour pesticide reporting app
- Contact your County Agricultural Commissioner
- Request investigation
• National Science Laboratories – Pesticide panel testing
• Poison Control System: 1-800-222-1222
• In a pesticide emergency: Call 9-1-1 - My colony seems unusually defensive. Could this be influenced by genetics (sometimes historically referred to as “Africanized”), and how can I find out?
- In the state of California it is illegal to keep Africanized and/or overly defensive honey bee colonies, or allow them to occupy any equipment left out and available for such a colony. UCANR offers excellent resources on what to do if you suspect that your bees are now Africanized, and UCCE San Diego outlines the steps on how to re-queen a hive in an easy to follow video.
If you are interested in testing your bees for defensiveness via mitotyping, please contact the Queen and Disease Clinic at NCSU. - Who provides guidance on honey quality and labeling?
- National Honey Board (NHB)
Provides industry-aligned guidance on:
• Honey standards of identity
• Proper labeling
• Moisture limits (keep below 18.6%)
• Crystallization & storage
• Batch record keeping
• Floral source claims
NHB does not perform laboratory testing but provides essential quality guidance.
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service operates as The National Honey Board - How can I verify the floral source of my honey?
- • Penn State Honey and Pollen Diagnostic Lab
- Melissopalynology (pollen ID)
- Floral source determination
• Jonah Ventures
- DNA-based pollen identification - Where can I test honey or wax for pesticide residues?
- • Cornell Dyce Lab – Wax & pollen pesticide analysis
• Anresco Laboratories – Pesticides, heavy metals, food chemistry
• Eurofins – Residue panels, food safety testing
• Intertek – Honey quality & residue testing - How do I test honey for adulteration or authenticity?
- • Tentamus
- NMR honey profiling
- Adulteration testing
• SGS
- Honey fingerprinting
- Origin verification - Can honey be tested for heavy metals?
- Yes.
• Brooks Applied Labs
- Metals & speciation (Hg, As, etc.) - Where can I find a honey bee veterinarian or a VFD?
- • Honey Bee Veterinary Consortium
- Helps locate honey bee-knowledgeable veterinarians
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