University of MN Bee Lab

University of MN Bee Lab Our mission: promote diversity, conservation, and health through research, education & mentorship. You can help bees in four ways:
1. Provide nesting habitat.
3.

Bees play a keystone role in the agricultural production and the beauty of our world through the pollination of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and flowers. The disruption of natural habitats leading to lack of “bee flowers,” the widespread overuse of pesticides, and numerous bee diseases and parasites have pushed honey bees to the tipping point. This honey bee crisis is broadly termed Colony Collapse D

isorder. Our native bees are also in decline due to unprecedented habitat loss, pesticide contamination, and their own diseases. Dr. Marla Spivak, MacArthur Fellow and Distinguished McKnight Professor in Entomology at the University of Minnesota, currently runs the Bee Lab (http://beelab.umn.edu/), with excellent technical support from Gary Reuter, the Bee Squad (http://beelab.umn.edu/BeeSquad/) and graduate students. The goal of our bee research and extension program at the University of Minnesota is to promote the health of bee pollinators. We work as a team to provide the richest learning environment for students and beekeepers at all levels and from all backgrounds. Plant bee flowers everywhere.
2. Reduce or eliminate pesticide use, especially on bee flowers.
4. Support our efforts to keep bees healthy and on their own six feet (https://makingagift.umn.edu/onlinegiving/enterOnlineGiving.do?owner=O_BEE&desc_source=UWXX_CFAN_SITE).

04/21/2026

The annual US Beekeeping Survey is LIVE!

Participate as a beekeeping citizen scientist through April at https://aub.ie/us-beekeeping-survey Your efforts provide insights in this past year's colony losses, plus help drive research direction, Extension efforts, and policy decisions!

Please also share this post widely among your beekeeping social media circles!

Many thanks to our great group of supporters: Project Apis m. National Honey Board One Hive Foundation American Honey Producers Association American Beekeeping Federation North Dakota Department of Agriculture Bee Culture Magazine American Beekeeping Federation

🌼🐝 The garden of support is growing! 🌱Thank you, Pollinator People! Every donation today helps the Bee Squad continue ou...
11/20/2025

🌼🐝 The garden of support is growing! 🌱
Thank you, Pollinator People! Every donation today helps the Bee Squad continue our work mentoring new beekeepers, supporting pollinator research, and growing pollinator awareness.

🌟 Your gift will be doubled thanks to $10,000 in matching funds!

Help us reach full bloom by the end of the day:
https://crowdfund.umn.edu/participants/Bee-Lab

🌿 🐝

📣 Calling All Pollinator People! 🐝Give to the Max Day is here—let’s plant some seeds!✨ All gifts are doubled today thank...
11/20/2025

📣 Calling All Pollinator People! 🐝
Give to the Max Day is here—let’s plant some seeds!

✨ All gifts are doubled today thanks to $10,000 in matching funds!
🌸 Give $10+ and receive our exclusive Plant Flowers sticker as a thank-you.

Your support keeps the Bee Squad growing strong in our 15-year mission to connect people, science, and pollinators. Every level makes a difference: Seed ($25), Sprout ($50), Bud ($100), or Flower ($250+).

Let’s grow together! 🐝

https://crowdfund.umn.edu/participants/Bee-Lab

09/19/2025

Bee Squad will be doing a beekeeping demo table in the Home Grown Skills Tent at tomorrow! Looks like it's going to be an amazing concert!

Woodland Weightlifting! The Bee Squad doesn't get enough credit for being the fittest team on campus (...at least during...
09/10/2025

Woodland Weightlifting! The Bee Squad doesn't get enough credit for being the fittest team on campus (...at least during fall honey pulling season)! 🐝💪 Each of these sticky honey boxes ("supers") weighs about 40- 50lbs, and some boxes need to be lifted from hives that are taller than us! UMN Recreation and Wellness any tips on how to protect our backs while hauling boxes?

The Bee Squad outreach team will be at the Minnsect Show from 9am-3pm. Hope you can bee there!
05/01/2025

The Bee Squad outreach team will be at the Minnsect Show from 9am-3pm. Hope you can bee there!

Mark your calendars! 🗓️
Join us for The Great Minnsect Show on Saturday, May 3 in the North Star Ballroom at the St Paul Student Center, 9am - 3pm! 🦋🪲
More details can be found on our website - link in our bio! ✨

Registration is open until 8am on Wednesday morning for our in-person Beekeeping in Northern Climates class, held at the...
02/10/2025

Registration is open until 8am on Wednesday morning for our in-person Beekeeping in Northern Climates class, held at the MN Landscape Arboretum on Feb 15 and 16. This course will teach you the foundations of what you need to know to successfully keep bees in a cold climate. Experienced instructors will cover honey bee biology, seasonal management, and how to maintain healthy bee colonies long term. Registration is $250 and includes admission, lunch, refreshments, and a printed copy of the Beekeeping in Northern Climates manual.

Registration now open! Photo by Cory Ryan Date Saturday, Feb. 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. & Sunday, Feb. 16, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee $230 member/$250 non-member includes Arboretum admission, lunch, refreshments and all supplies REGISTER Program location: Farm at the Arb - McVay Learning Lab (in the Bee Center) Age....

University of Minnesota Extension's annual pollinator webinar series is coming up! This year's talks are focused on clim...
01/17/2025

University of Minnesota Extension's annual pollinator webinar series is coming up! This year's talks are focused on climate-resilient pollinator habitats across Minnesota landscapes. Click the link below to register for the webinars! 🐝🌼

https://umn.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gZn1EpHLTbWOFV9D2SELTg #/registration

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1634 Gortner
Saint Paul, MN
55108

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