The Real Test: Hilo Bees in Commercial Field Trials

Since 2017, Hilo Bees have been evaluated in carefully monitored year-long field trials. 

In 2020, Hilo bees being managed by commercial beekeepers were assessed in Washington, Oregon, Michigan, North Dakota and California. These data will add to field trials in previous years in North Dakota, South Dakota and Louisiana.

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

Results consistently show that in Hilo Bees:
  • Mite levels usually remain below threshold without treatment (graph)
  • Original Hilo queens survival is higher than controls each year (graph)
  • Hilo bees have comparable adult bee populations, and are larger approaching winter (graph)
  • Hilo bees produce smaller honey crops than controls (graph)
  • After one year, original queens in colonies with > 6 frames of bees at almonds: Hilo bees 37% vs. controls 26%. Hilo bees had 42% more rentable colonies for almond pollination after one year, untreated.
  • 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?

Contact us