On this website, we approach the problem of bee mortality from the idea that iron deficiency is the cause of this phenomenon which occurs worldwide. Our theory is based on field trials in which iron was administered to bee colonies. The scientific basis for this is substantiated in detail in various ways.
Information about iron administration
In the section Information about iron administration you will find a great deal of information relevant to you, the beekeeper. Here we describe the influence of iron, how iron deficiency arises and how the traditional treatments to combat Varroa actually work. You will find out why many of these treatments actually only play a limited role in preventing winter mortality.
Background information
In the section Research you can read about the key findings of the research conducted by Science In Water into bee decline. With the knowledge and understanding of iron metabolism we show why much of the research is on the wrong track and is thus unlikely to lead to a solution for bee problems. We explain that due to iron, among other things, the microbiological biodiversity is maintained. In addition, bees are better able to digest nutritional components and that results in healthier bees.
In this section of the website we also discuss the operation of neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoids work quite differently from other insecticides. With this understanding, we also have an opening to prevent the negative impact of these kinds of insecticides on bees.
Models of bee decline
In the Models of bee decline section, we consider the many perspectives from which the problem of bee decline is approached. With this insight, we can easily categories each publication or standpoint within the total range of opinions. The subject of bee decline has become the ‘raison d´être’ for numerous organizations that grasp bee mortality to realize various alternative objectives.
In this section we also substantiate administering iron supplements via models.
Changes at microbiological level
Increased bee decline can be fully explained by changes that occur at microbiological level and which can be explained in detail. That happens under the influence of certain minerals, particularly later in the season. This can be traced back to a one-sided diet or other nutritional changes, resulting in a sub-optimal composition of microorganisms in the bees' intestine.
In the course of time, the mineral composition of substances that bee colonies bring to their hives has changed. This takes place in several ways.
Varroa
The Varroa mite is not the primary cause of bee decline. A bee colony can thrive even in the presence of this enemy. The presence of Varroa is the result of changed environmental conditions, which are responsible for an essential change in the diet of bees.
The presence of the Varroa mite is the most visible, and therefore also the easiest consequence of changes to the nutrition environment to quantify. The Varroa mite also needs certain microorganisms in order to successfully infect and multiply. The Varroa mite has gained a better competitive position than the bee. Competition between the bee and the mite can be considered as a competition between microbial systems.
Administering iron
Something special happens when you administer iron to bees. At the very least, the amount of iron influences the competitive position of the Varroa mite. This takes place via the changed microbiological composition in the system. The mechanism by which the Varroa strikes is then no longer an example of how a bee colony can be depleted.
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