Modeling the Impact of Disease Transmission and Treatment Timing on Honey Bee Population and Honey Production

Numerous complex dynamics exist within honey bee colonies regarding their population and honey production. Honey bees are essential for pollination and food security, but their populations are declining due to various factors such as disease, parasites, and environment. stresses. While there are numerous models for bee population and disease dynamics, few models also consider honey production. This study presents a mathematical model that integrates honey bee population dynamics, disease transmission, and honey production into a single comprehensive framework. Building off existing models, this model simulates the interactions between susceptible and infected hive and forager bees, along with honey resources. The results demonstrate how disease impacts the population of bees and the honey they produce. This model simulates the active and winter seasons, accounting for disease transmission and the effects of various types of treatment. Results show that early treatment leads to higher bee populations, while late treatment is more effective in eradicating the infection, but it also results in lower honey production.