The beekeeping industry struggles to maintain sufficient colonies (hives) to meet demands for crop pollination services because parasitic mites and diseases kill most untreated colonies over winter. Losses remain as high as 40% even with intensive management. This study compared three systems at each of eight apiaries: conventional (colonies treated with synthetic chemicals to combat mites and pathogens), organic (natural materials allowed by the National Organic Program; drone brood removal to reduce varroa mite populations), and non-chemical (no treatment). Colony performance, immunocompetence, parasite and pathogen levels, and pesticides in beeswax were documented over a three-year period, and economic analysis was conducted. The project also convened a stakeholder group of 30 beekeepers representing all three systems in open discussions that facilitated peer learning and trust. Findings were delivered through 30 talks and workshops reaching 15,000 beekeepers.

In terms of colony survival, honey production, immune gene expression, mites, and pathogen numbers, the organic system that used only the NOP-allowed miticides oxalic and formic acids and thymol performed as well as the conventional system that used oxalic acid in spring and the synthetic miticide amitraz in summer. Treatments reduced varroa mite numbers by 72-78%, the microsporidian pathogen Vairimorpha ceranae by 15-20%, and Deformed Wing Virus by 20-28%, and modulated expression of immune response genes. In the third year, organic hives produced 45% more honey than conventional, which improved net profit. Low winter survival in untreated hives (30% vs. 77% for treated hives) resulted in a net financial loss.