The Real Test: Hilo Bees in Commercial Field Trials
Hilo Bees were evaluated during 2017-2021 in 10 carefully monitored, year-long field trials in California, Louisiana, Michigan, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota and Washington. Hilo colonies were compared to a control colonies of standard bee stock while being managed by commercial beekeepers.

Field Trial Protocols are Summarized Below:
In Each Location:
  • Hilo Bees compared to industry standard queens
  • Side by side comparison in commercial operations
  • Install queens after almonds, into equalized splits
  • Assess for one year, measure and sample 4 times
Measured in May, Aug, Oct, Mar:
  • Mite levels
  • Frames of bees
  • Frames of brood
  • Nosema, virus levels
  • Survival (colony, queen)
  • Honey harvested
  • Pollination grade

Results

The overall results from the 10 field trials show that:

  • Mite levels during the critical treatment period in late summer were much lower in Hilo Bees. Only 9% of Hilo colonies vs. 46% of control colonies were at or above the threshold for treatment of 3 mites per 100 bees.
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  • Survival of original queens was similar for Hilo and control bees in summer and autumn, and greater for Hilo queens by February.
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  • Hilo bees had slightly smaller bee populations in summer and slightly larger populations in February.
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  • Hilo Bee colonies produced 29% smaller honey crops than control colonies.
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  • In February, after nearly one year under commercial conditions, 32% of Hilo colonies vs. 23% of control colonies had original queens and had at least 6 frames of bees. Hilo Bees had 37% more rentable colonies for almond pollination, despite being untreated against Varroa (while control colonies were treated as usual).
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  • Economic Analysis using field trial data shows an improved bottom line for beekeepers (economic model)​​

Learn More About Hilo Bees: 

What does the Field Trial Data Tell Us about the Economics of Using Hilo Bees?
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