DOI: 10.5061/dryad.xksn02vkn
title: Data for: A survey of UK beekeeper’s Varroa treatment habits

description: The global spread of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor instigated a
 substantial decline in both managed and feral honeybee (Apis mellifera)
 colonies mainly across the Northern hemisphere. In response, many
 beekeepers began to treat their colonies with chemical acaricides to
 control mite populations in managed colonies. However, some countries or
 beekeepers allowed their bees to develop mite-resistance by adopting a
 “treatment-free” approach, rather than using selective breeding programs.
 Yet, the distribution and proportion of beekeepers either treating or not
 within the United Kingdom (UK) are unknown, as it is in most Northern
 hemisphere countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a
 beekeeper survey to determine the current treatment strategies within the
 UK. We gathered 2,872 beekeeper responses from an estimated 30,000 UK
 beekeepers belonging to 242 bee-associations in the winter of 2020/21. The
 survey indicated that the majority (72–79%) of UK beekeepers are still
 treating their bees for Varroa, typically twice-yearly using
 chemical-based methods. Six percent or 1,800 UK beekeepers were
 treatment-free for six years or more. This is reflected by our finding
 that 78 associations out of 242 consist of responders who entirely
 treated, while only four associations had more than 75% of their members
 that were non-treating. Overall treatment status was not affected by
 association currently. Using the baseline data from this survey it will be
 possible in the future to observe if a shift towards treatment-free
 beekeeping occurs or not.
description: The survey was constructed
 using Google Forms as it allowed an unlimited number of responses whilst
 also allowing the incorporation of the University logo to add credibility
 to the survey. The survey consisted of a brief description outlining the
 study, its aims, and our definition of treatment, which was,
 “any form of external or
 additional control administered to bees by beekeepers aimed at reducing
 Varroa numbers”.  Then
 followed six questions: 1) association name, 2) number of colonies, 3) if
 they treat or not, 4) number of times a year they treat, 5) number of
 years since last treatment, 6) type of treatment (see Fig S2 for survey).
 Answers were either multiple-choice questions or open questions that all
 helped assess the beekeeper’s treatment habits. The survey was kept short
 in duration to increase the response rates.
 The contact details for 325
 beekeeping area associations across the UK (Fig. 1a) were obtained via the
 four UK Beekeeper Association websites (British, Scottish, Welsh and
 Northern Ireland). Initial contact was made by email with 303 of them;
 outlining the study aims to determine general
 interest. The responding
 associations
 were then sent the survey
 online link and asked to forward it to their respective members.
 Beekeepers were given ten weeks from 23<sup>rd</sup> Dec 2020
 to complete the survey. A small number of beekeepers did not complete
 every section of the survey fully, so for each analysis, the precise
 number of responses obtained from that part is given. Amateur bee
 associations were chosen as they contain around 30,000 members in the UK.
 The results have been published in PLOS ONE.