Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.0k6djhbbq

Description of the data and file structure

This dataset was collected as part of a study investigating the health management strategies of stress-tolerant honey bee genotypes in Southern California. The research aimed to compare the beekeeping practices, disease management strategies, and economic implications associated with three honey bee colony types: Managed, Survivor, and Mixed genotypes.

Data were collected through a Qualtrics-based survey administered to beekeepers during the 2023 University of California Riverside Center for Integrative Bee Research (CIBER) Honey Bee Health Conference. The survey included 35 questions covering key topics such as colony origins, disease management practices, pest deterrents, and annual costs associated with maintaining bee colonies.

The dataset comprises two primary components:

• Survey Questionnaire – A comprehensive list of the survey questions designed to gather detailed information on beekeeping practices and colony health management.
• Survey Data – An anonymized dataset containing responses from 121 participants, representing a diverse group of hobbyist, sideline, and commercial beekeepers.

This dataset offers valuable insights into sustainable beekeeping practices, economic considerations, and the potential advantages of stress-tolerant honey bee genotypes. It holds significant value for researchers studying apiculture, pollinator health, environmental stress tolerance, and agricultural economics.

Files and variables

Survey_Questionnaire.pdf

Description: The complete set of questions used in the study. This document outlines the structure, question logic, and wording used in the survey.

Survey_Data_DryadCleaned.csv

Description: The anonymized dataset containing participant responses. Variables are coded and described in the accompanying CVS file. 

Variables Description: Answer choices can be found in the Survey_Questionnaire.pdf

• Question 1: How long have you been beekeeping?
• Question 2: How would you characterize your beekeeping activities?
• Question 3: How many hours a week are you dedicating to your beekeeping activities?
• Question 4: How many colonies do you have? - Selected Choice
• Question 4_8_TEXT: How many colonies do you have? - Other: - Text
• Question 5: Where are your colonies located?
• Question 5.1: List specific location (City, State, Country)
• Question 6: What is the origin of the colonies you keep? - Selected Choice
• Question 6 _4_TEXT: What is the origin of the colonies you keep? - Other - Text
• Question 6.1: Do you notice a difference in disease/ parasite load between your colonies?
• Question 6.2: Do you notice a difference in heat tolerance between your colonies?
• Question 6.3: Do you notice a difference in honey production between your colonies?
• Question 7: Do you have swarms or removals? - Selected Choice
• Question 7 _3_TEXT: Do you have swarms or removals? - If Yes, where were they originally located?( ex. Irrigation box, tree, etc.) - Text
• Question 7.1: If you have swarms or removals, which behaviors do they exhibit? (list all) - Selected Choice
• Question 7.1_11_TEXT: If you have swarms or removals, which behaviors do they exhibit? (list all) - Other - Text
• Question 7.2: How do you manage queen loss? - Selected Choice
• Question 7.2_8_TEXT: How do you manage queen loss? - Other - Text
• Question 7.3: Do you requeen your colonies with purchased stock? - Selected Choice
• Question 7.3_3_TEXT: Do you requeen your colonies with purchased stock? - Other - Text
• Question 7.3.1:How often do you requeen your colonies? - Selected Choice
• Question 7.3.1_3_TEXT: How often do you requeen your colonies? - Other - Text
• Question 9: What diseases do you think you currently have in your colony? (Select all you have) - Selected Choice
• Question 9_9_TEXT: What diseases do you think you currently have in your colony? (Select all you have) - Others - Text
• Question 10: How often do you evaluate your colony for diseases and parasites?
• Question 11: Do you use any diagnostic tools to check for Varroa mites? - Selected Choice
• Question 11_11_TEXT: Do you use any diagnostic tools to check for Varroa mites? - Other - Text
• Question 11.1: Do you treat against Varroa mites?
• Question 11.2: How often do you treat your colonies against Varroa mites? - Selected Choice
• Question 11.2_15_TEXT: How often do you treat your colonies against Varroa mites? - Other - Text
• Question 11.2.1: Which treatments do you use against Varroa mites? (list all) - Selected Choice
• Question 11.2.1_18_TEXT: Which treatments do you use against Varroa mites? (list all) - Other - Text
• Question 11.2.1.2: If you listed more than ONE treatment against Varroa mites, how do you apply them? - Selected Choice
• Question 11.2.1.2_0_TEXT: If you listed more than ONE treatment against Varroa mites, how do you apply them? - Api Life Var Interchangeably (please explain) - Text
• Question 11.2.1.2_1_TEXT: If you listed more than ONE treatment against Varroa mites, how do you apply them? - Rotate based on season (please explain) - Text
• Question 11.2.1.2_12_TEXT: If you listed more than ONE treatment against Varroa mites, how do you apply them? - Other (please explain) - Text
• Question 12: Do you use any diagnostic tools to check for Nosema? - Selected Choice
• Question 12_12_TEXT: Do you use any diagnostic tools to check for Nosema? - Others - Text
• Question 12.1: Do you treat your colonies against Nosema? (Fungal diseases that causes diarrhea in honeybees)
• Question 12.1.2: How often do you treat Nosema? - Selected Choice
• Question 12.1.2_22_TEXT:  How often do you treat Nosema? - Other - Text
• Question 12.1.3: Which treatments do you use for Nosema? (list all) - Selected Choice
• Question 12.1.3_24_TEXT: Which treatments do you use for Nosema? (list all) - Extracts and supplements - Text
• Question 12.1.3_25_TEXT: Which treatments do you use for Nosema? (list all) - Microbial supplements - Text
• Question 12.1.3_26_TEXT: Which treatments do you use for Nosema? (list all) - Others - Text
• Question 12.1.4: If you use multiple treatments how do you apply them? (pick one) - Selected Choice
• Question 12.1.4_0_TEXT: If you use multiple treatments how do you apply them? (pick one) - Interchangeably (please explain) - Text
• Question 12.1.4_1_TEXT: If you use multiple treatments how do you apply them? (pick one) - Rotate based on season (please explain) - Text
• Question 12.1.4_20_TEXT: If you use multiple treatments how do you apply them? (pick one) - Other (please explain) - Text
• Question 13: On average how much would you say you spend yearly on disease and pest treatments? (ex. Apivar, fumagilin, formic acid)
• Question 14: On average how much would you say you spend yearly on disease diagnostic tools and materials? (e. mite sugar shakes, alcohol wash, rapid virus tests, microscopes)
• Question 15: On average how much would you say you spend yearly on pest deterrents?(ex. Ant baits and poisons, hive beetle traps)?
• Question 16: On average how much would you say you spend yearly on disease preventatives? (ex. Probiotics, supplements, vitamins)
• Question 16.1: Do you feel that your treatment efforts are effective? - Selected Choice
• Question 16.1_20_TEXT: Do you feel that your treatment efforts are effective? - Somewhat (explain) - Text

• Code/software

• The dataset is provided in .csv format, compatible with commonly used data analysis tools such as:
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Google Sheets
  • SPSS
  • R and Python for advanced statistical analysis
• The survey questionnaire is provided in .pdf format for reference.

Access information

The dataset is openly accessible via Dryad under the CC0 Public Domain Dedication license. Users may freely access, share, modify, and utilize the data without restrictions.

Recommended Citation:

Webb, J., Chong-Echavez, G., Maciejovsky, B., & Baer, B. (2025). Survey questionnaire and data of health management strategies of stress tolerant honey bee genotypes throughout southern California. Dryad Digital Repository. doi.org/10.5061/dryad.0k6djhbbq

Contact Information:

If you have any questions about the dataset or require additional support, please contact the corresponding author:

Dr. Boris Baer
Email: borisbar@ucr.edu

Human subjects data

This dataset contains anonymized survey data collected from beekeepers who participated in a study on honey bee health and management practices. All participants provided explicit informed consent for their anonymized responses to be shared in the public domain. Identifiable information such as names, contact details, and precise geographic locations has been removed to ensure participant confidentiality. The dataset complies with the University of California Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols (HS 22-135) and Dryad’s human subjects data standards.