Local beekeepers unpack environmental struggles in SU’s bee colonies

When local beekeepers Bob Faulkner and Jennifer Bittner first came to Syracuse University to take care of its bee hives in June, the colonies were struggling.

The two arrived relatively late in the beekeeping season, as most keepers begin care in April, Bittner said. SU’s bees had faced multiple “swarming” incidents, where around half the bees leave the hive after reproducing, that weakened the colony, she said. Their work to restore the colonies has been critical, especially considering the environmental challenges bees face today.

“The bees were weak when we arrived, and there was a statewide shutdown of nectar flow and pollen production this year,” Bittner said. “So, all colonies had a setback, and we had a late start on top of that.”

Faulkner and Bittner joined several SU community members at the Hall of Languages Tuesday afternoon to educate them about the university’s honeybee colonies and their role in on-campus sustainability efforts. The presentation, titled “All About SU’s Honey and Our Bees,” was part of SU’s Campus Sustainability Month.

The discussion mainly centered on the environmental challenges bees face, one of the biggest being harmful effects of pesticides, Bittner said.

“The single most important thing for humanity, and for all of our native insects and pollinators, is to limit the use of pesticides,” Bittner said. “Pesticides, herbicides and fungicides kill pollinators and accumulate in the colonies. It’s led to shorter lifespans for our queens.”

The beekeepers said honey bees at the university and across the world have suffered as a result of climate change. Faulkner said this year’s honey harvest was lower than usual because of these setbacks.

Honey bee colonies are dependent on nectar produced by flowering plants as a food source, Faulkner said. As climate change throws off the annual nectar flow of flora across New York state, honey bees have struggled.

The reduced nectar flow forced them to supplement the bees’ diet with pollen until natural resources became available again, Bittner said. She also said a stronger colony can manage diseases better, highlighting the responsibility beekeepers now have to be vigilant and quick in maintaining the weakened colonies’ health.

In addition to caring for the university’s bee colonies, Faulkner and Bittner both contribute to local honey production through Faulkner’s operation, Syracuse Honey. His team processes the honey produced on South Campus and relocates bees in dangerous areas to safer settings.

Bittner said the group usually harvests twice a season, with the honey being bottled and sold as a university product. The flavor varies each year depending on the flowers the bees pollinate.

“Some are very fruity, some are flowery,” Faulkner said. “The darker honey has that bam — it’s strong and bold.”

Christopher Hansen, president of SU’s Beekeeping Club, said he promoted the event to fellow club members.

Hansen, who grew up in a family of beekeepers, said he’s excited about the educational aspect of beekeeping. He emphasized how essential bees are to the environment, noting that their presence significantly increased the number of wildflowers in his family’s yard.

“I know a lot of people are interested in bees, but some are hesitant or a little afraid to suit up,” Hansen said. “I wanted to organize events for people who didn’t want to suit up for beekeeping but still wanted to learn about how bees live, what they do and focus more on the educational side of beekeeping.”

The event ended with a broader discussion on bees’ roles in promoting sustainability. Bittner said bees are not only important for honey production, but are also crucial to the overall health of the environment.

Despite challenges posed by climate change and pesticide exposure, the beekeepers said they remain committed to educating the campus community about the importance of bees and the need to protect pollinators.

“Bees are like the canary in the coal mine — if they’re not doing well, something’s wrong,” Bittner said. “The chemicals we use and climate change are real problems, and it’s not just about honeybees. When our bees are suffering, everything else is too.”