2018 Massachusetts Hobbyist Health Survey
MA Hobbyist Health Survey
In 2018, UMass and MDAR collaborated with 40 hobbyist beekeepers across Massachusetts to carry out this beekeeper-initiated project. In early and late summer, we sampled two colonies from each beekeeper for Nosema, Varroa, viruses and pesticides. This survey gives us valuable information about pesticide and disease levels that can inform state-level decision-making.
Tips for protecting your hives from pesticides:
Protecting Hives from Pesticides
The full report:
MA Hobbyist Survey-Full Report
Summary of pesticide results (PDF:
Pesticide Results Summary):