Are Mayo honeybees under threat?

Few people realise that around one third of all food produced in Mayo — and worldwide — relies on insect pollination. From apples and berries to nuts and many seeds, pollinators play a crucial role in the food we eat every day.

Among these pollinators, honeybees do the lion’s share of the work. It is estimated that about 80 per cent of insect pollination supporting our food supply is carried out by honeybees, making them one of the most important species in global agriculture. Without them, many crops would produce far less food, and some might not grow at all.

Pollination doesn’t just allow crops to grow — it improves their quality too. Crops pollinated by bees often produce better fruit, higher yields and more reliable harvests. Without healthy bee populations, many crops would struggle to thrive, with serious consequences for both farmers and the wider economy.

Because of this, the health of honeybee colonies is closely linked to farming, food production and the wider environment. But while honeybees quietly sustain much of our food production, experts warn they face growing threats — including pests that can destroy entire colonies.

Two pests raising concern

The first is the small hive beetle, a parasite that invades honeybee colonies. The beetle and its larvae feed on honeybee brood, honey and pollen, damaging the hive structure and causing honey to ferment. As the infestation spreads, the colony weakens and can eventually collapse.

Another emerging threat is the Asian bee mite, a tiny parasite that attacks developing bee larvae inside the hive. The mites feed on the larvae as they grow, weakening the bees and sometimes spreading diseases through the colony.

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Both pests are difficult to detect because they are so small and often live inside the comb where the young bees develop.

Westport Beekeepers say the Asian bee mite could potentially cause even greater damage than the well-known Varroa destructor, a parasite that dramatically changed beekeeping in Ireland after its arrival in the late 1990s.

The Varroa mite first appeared in the Republic of Ireland in 1998 and reached Northern Ireland in 2002. Within just a few years it had spread across the island, wiping out most wild honeybee colonies. Today, beekeepers must regularly treat their hives to keep the mite under control.

How the pests spread

One of the biggest concerns for beekeepers is that these pests often spread through human activity.

Indeed, when beekeepers import bees or transport hives between countries, pests can sometimes travel with them. Because the insects are so small, they can go unnoticed until they are already established in a new area.

The small hive beetle originated in sub-Saharan Africa but has since spread to North America, Australia and parts of Europe. While it is considered a relatively minor pest for African honeybees, European honeybees — including those kept in Ireland — do not have the same natural defences.

The Asian bee mite has a similar story. Originally found in Asia, where it mainly affected giant Asian honeybees, some species have adapted to infest European honeybees and have spread to new regions.

These mites are extremely small and live mostly within brood comb, feeding on developing bee larvae. Because they are rarely seen on adult bees, infestations can go unnoticed until significant damage has already occurred.

Protecting Ireland’s bees

Local beekeepers are working to reduce these risks.

The Westport Beekeepers Association is encouraging beekeepers to use locally bred bees rather than importing them from abroad. This helps prevent pests from entering the country and supports the conservation of Ireland’s native honeybee.

Ireland’s native bee, Apis mellifera mellifera, is well suited to the local climate and has developed over centuries in these conditions.

Members of the association are offering free local virgin queen bees and discounted starter colonies to qualified local beekeepers. The initiative aims to reduce the need for imported bees and help prevent pests such as the small hive beetle and Asian bee mite from reaching the region.

Beekeepers say protecting these native bees is vital not only for honey production but for the wider environment and food system.

A wider issue

The threats facing honeybees are not just a concern for beekeepers. Because pollination underpins so much of global agriculture, the health of bee populations ultimately affects everyone.

Without bees, many familiar foods would become scarce or more expensive, and entire agricultural systems would be disrupted.

For that reason, beekeepers believe preventing the spread of these pests is critical.

Local beekeepers interested in participating in the initiative can contact Alex Blackwell on 087-624-3907 or by email at aleria57@gmail.com. Applicants must have completed at least a beginner’s beekeeping course, but membership of the association is not required.

Requests should be submitted in early March so that local beekeepers can plan the breeding of queens and starter colonies for the coming season.

For the volunteers working to protect Ireland’s bees, the message is simple: looking after honeybees means looking after our food and our environment.

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