Public enemy number one for honey bees: the Varroa mite. How is Bayer helping beekeepers to combat it? Find out here. #BeeWeek

Poor preparation of colonies for winter and failure to control against pests like the Varroa mite provides for the perfect storm to harm honey bee colonies during these winter months. This may then lead to overwintering colony losses which is a good indication of the health of honey bee colonies in the EU and North America. #BeeWeek

Do you know that the Varroa population in a beehive can double every three to four weeks during their breeding season, growing from 50 up to some 3,200 mites from the beginning of February to the end of August? Find out what this can mean for overwintering honey bees, if not controlled. #BeeWeek http://spr.ly/61868sk64

The Western honey bee’s biggest enemy is called Varroa destructor. The mite is a huge threat to the health of the bees as it transmits dangerous diseases. Bayer expert Dr Klemens Krieger knows the mite well and understands the impact this pest can have on honey bee colonies. #BeeWeek http://bit.ly/2uGVU7s

The Varroa mite is not the only pest that harms honey bee colonies. In Spain, honey bee colonies are also facing a disease caused by a pathogen called Nosema. As a principal honey producer in Europe, the Spanish economy relies heavily on the health and production of its honey bee colonies. Learn about the research that we’re conducting with partners to help reduce the impact of honey bee pests in Spain: http://bit.ly/2vdflBf #BeeWeek

We’re celebrating #BeeWeek! Learn more about how pollinators are an important element to farmers across the world. #ForwardFarming

The Varroa mite may be small, but it is one of the main threats to the western honey bee. First described during the early 20th century from Asia, the Varroa mite has since spread to every country in the world, except Australia. Scientists and beekeepers worldwide, are working together to learn more about how to defend against the deadly Varroa mite. So how does the Varroa mite affect honey bees, and what are we doing to combat it: http://bit.ly/2uiFKRJ #BeeWeek

#Attheapiary our wildflower border is blooming and providing valuable nutrition for pollinators throughout the season. Bumblebees only collect enough food for a couple of days at a time so a steady, constant supply of food is important. Our FeedABee program promotes planting flowers for habitat and nutrition for pollinators.

Checking the hive for Varroa and controlling infestation is important to ensure good #beehealth in colonies before the fall. #BeeCare

Bees and other pollinators can do with lots of flowers to provide them with important nutrition at this time of year. Nutrition is a particular challenge for solitary or wild bees as many need specific plant habitat and this can be scarce in some areas. In our pollinator garden the flowers are proving popular with pollinators searching for food.

#Attheapiary today - a chance for visitors to look at the hive and learn about workers, drones and the queen. Did you know that a queen can lay up to 2000 eggs per day during the summer season which means that later in the year roughly 2000 honey bees in every hive will hatch and 2000 will die every day - naturally.

Bees and pollinators need good nutrition to stay healthy so our FeedABee programs around the world help promote this. #Attheapiary our flower strips are in full bloom, providing necessary nectar and pollen for a variety of pollinators.