Investigation of colony status

Approximately 1,200 bee colonies are examined three or four times (March/April, July, October) a year. The strength of the colonies is measured and abnormalities are recorded.  At the same time, samples of bees are collected and preserved in order to study their  pathogens. Samples of bee bread (pollen that is stored in combs) are cut out from combs, processed, chilled and passed on to the LUFA Speyer (Agricultural analytical and research institute Speyer) for residue analysis.