Experimental Applications of Natural and Technological Drugs with Honey Bees:Status, Opportunities and Challenges

Honey bees are important pollinators whose environmental importance is not discussed, and they are creatures whose culture varieties are widely grown to obtain more than one valuable product. Beekeeping is a field of study that requires considerable attention due to both workload and easy effects from environmental factors. The intensive coexistence in culture and the preference of yield-based breeds increase the frequency of various bee diseases. These diseases and their control can be quite difficult with the effects of climate change. Existing bee diseases can be caused by more than one microorganism group such as parasites (Varroa), fungi (Nosemosis), bacteria (European and American foulbrood) and viruses (Deformed Wing Virus). Although there are various chemicals for the control of microbial diseases, these chemicals can cause problems such as environmental damage or residues in bee products, and even there are completely banned chemicals (OTC etc.). The utilization or development of resistant strains in the context of combating these diseases may prove an efficacious solution. Nevertheless, it may prove inadequate, necessitate a considerable investment of time, or result in yield loss. An alternative method of control is the deployment of natural or technological (micro or nano technological) products that are completely harmless or do not leave residues. The application of these products should be done directly in the field and with bee colonies rather than in laboratory conditions. In this case, it is quite easy to apply to honey bees in colonies in hives and it can be practical to get the results. However, environmental conditions (wind, rain, amount of flowers and nectar, etc.) and uncontrolled parameters can produce results far from standard work. In order to address these challenges, it may be effective to utilise micro-hives, which can be deployed in isolated areas and which can accommodate different seasonal replications. Furthermore, the extensive use of statistical analysis may prove beneficial.