Pollinators

Antibiotic Use in Beekeeping and Pollinator Health

Routine antibiotic use in commercial beekeeping raises concerns about resistance, microbiome disruption, and long-term colony health.

Key Facts

Oxytetracycline and tylosin are commonly used against American foulbrood disease
Antibiotic residues have been detected in honey sold internationally
Disruption of the bee gut microbiome weakens immune responses and increases pathogen susceptibility
Resistant strains of Paenibacillus larvae are emerging in treated populations
IPM approaches can reduce antibiotic reliance while maintaining colony health

Welfare Considerations

Bees are increasingly recognized as sentient creatures with complex social lives and potential capacities for pain and distress. Antibiotic misuse harms individual bees through microbiome disruption, reduces colony resilience, and drives resistance that compromises future disease management. Sustainable beekeeping practices that prioritize colony biology over chemical intervention serve both welfare and long-term productivity goals.

What You Can Do

Choose honey certified under antibiotic-free or IPM-certified programs
Support research into non-antibiotic foulbrood management
Advocate for stronger antibiotic stewardship regulations in beekeeping
Plant diverse forage to support strong immune function in wild and managed bees