Pesticides and Honey Bees with Dr. Judy Wu-Smart (S6, E21)

In today’s episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, we delve deep into the intricate world of honey bees and the environmental challenges they face. Today, we are honored to chat with Dr. Judy Wu-Smart, who leads the bee lab  at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her extensive research on pesticides' effects on bee health caught our attention and we knew you would benefit from the discussion.

Dr. Wu-Smart sheds light on the complex interactions between honey bees and various pesticides, including neonicotinoids (neonics), which have been at the forefront of bee health concerns. She discusses her latest findings on how sublethal exposure to these chemicals may not cause immediate bee mortality but can disrupt foraging patterns, learning behaviors, and overall hive vitality.

The conversation also touches on the subtle intricacies of pesticide exposure, such as the combined effects of multiple chemicals and the role of environmental stressors that can compound the impact on bee colonies. Dr. Wu-Smart emphasizes the importance of integrated pest management strategies and the need for collaboration between farmers, beekeepers, and scientists to mitigate risks and protect our invaluable pollinators.

Whether you are a novice beekeeper or a seasoned professional, this episode offers valuable insights into the ongoing efforts to ensure the health and longevity of honey bee populations. Join us as we explore the delicate balance between agricultural practices and bee conservation, arming ourselves with knowledge to make informed decisions in our beekeeping ventures.

Don't miss this informative session with Dr. Wu-Smart, where science leads the conversation on safeguarding the future of beekeeping. Tune in, stay informed, and be part of the solution!

Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln Bee Lab - https://entomology.unl.edu/beelab
• BTP Episode on the AFB Vaccine Research - https://www.podpage.com/beekeeping-today-podcast/afb-vaccine-for-honey-bees-with-dr-keith-delaplane-s5-e30/
• BTP Episode Pete Berthelsen: Bee and Butterfly Fund - https://www.beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/hbhc-part-3-pete-berthelsen-habitat/
• Honey Bee Obscura - https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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Betterbee is the presensting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee’s mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this episode! 

Thanks to Strong Microbials for their support of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Find out more about heir line of probiotics in our Season 3, Episode 12 episode and from their website: https://www.strongmicrobials.com

Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry.

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: [email protected]

Thank you for listening! 

Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

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