Honeybee colonies kept for pollination and honey production face welfare challenges from disease, pesticide exposure, and management practices. Better understanding of bee welfare improves outcomes.
Honeybee welfare raises both individual and colony-level questions. At the colony level, disease management, pesticide exposure, and overwinter nutrition are critical. At the individual level, practices like uncapping and removal of drone brood, queen replacement, and transport stress have welfare implications. Integrated pest management approaches that minimize chemical intervention support both colony health and bee welfare.