IPM: Helping Honey Bees Overcome Pests and Pesticides

The video encourages kids to think like engineers to solve problems affecting honey bees, such as pesticide use, pests like Varroa mites, and poor nutrition. It introduces Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a sustainable farming practice that minimizes harm to bees. The video also discusses smart pesticide use, beneficial insects, and intercropping to protect crops. Additionally, it covers methods for beekeepers to manage Varroa mites, including using screens and powdered sugar.

What are some of the main issues affecting honey bees?

• Excessive honey production

• Lack of flowers

• Use of pesticides, pests, viruses, and poor nutrition

• Overpopulation of bees

What was the traditional approach to dealing with pests on crops?

• Using organic farming methods

• Using natural predators

• Intercropping

• Applying pesticides without considering their impact on bees

What is one of the strategies used in Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

• Using beneficial insects to control pests

• Planting the same crop repeatedly

• Ignoring pest problems

• Using pesticides at any time

How does intercropping help in pest management?

• It makes it easier for pests to find their favorite food

• It confuses pests and makes it harder for them to spread

• It increases the use of pesticides

• It reduces the need for crop rotation

What is one method beekeepers use to help bees remove Varroa mites?

• Feeding bees with honey

• Sprinkling powdered sugar on the bees

• Increasing the number of drones

• Using chemical pesticides

What role do screens play in managing Varroa mites in bee hives?

• They keep bees inside the hive

• They allow mites to fall through while bees walk over them

• They trap bees inside the hive

• They prevent bees from leaving the hive

Why is it important to remove infected drone cells in a bee colony?

• To improve the taste of honey

• To prevent the spread of Varroa mites

• To increase honey production

• To reduce the number of bees