Strong Microbials, the original creators of the first probiotic for honeybees, has improved the already successful, SuperDFM®-Honeybee™ est. in 2014, based on exciting scientific research that shows Pediococcus acidilactici (P801) helps rescue honeybees who have suffered pesticide exposure. That’s why Strong Microbials researched and developed SuperDFM®+P801™ for commercial pollination.
According to a USDA survey, 98% of honeybee comb and wax foundation in North America are contaminated with an average of 6 different pesticides. Exposure to sublethal concentrations of pesticides can significantly shorten honeybee lifespan, weaken immunity, decrease colony population, and cause precocious foraging. There is an accumulation of evidence supporting probiotic bacteria’s benefits, specifically, lactic acid bacteria’s ability to strengthen and stimulate the immune system and optimal nutrient absorption. The bacterial composition of SuperDFM®+P801™ is a massive breakthrough in combating the “4 Ps” that are harming honeybees: parasites, pesticides, poor nutrition, and pathogens.
A new study published in February 2020 found that Pediococcus acidilactici can rescue honeybees from the adverse effects of pesticides. Honeybees exposed to boscalid + thiamethoxam had a 41% mortality rate. Amazingly, when honeybees exposed to these pesticides were treated with Pediococcus, honeybee mortality rate decreased more than two-fold, to only a 15% mortality rate. Boscalid fungicide and thiamethoxam insecticide are formulated into products such as Cruiser® and Pristine®, widely used in the US. “We’ve been testing this strain of Pediococcus acidilactici since 2017. This publication was important because it emphasized the connections between pesticides and pathogens,” said Slava Strogolov, the CEO of Strong Microbials.
In March 2020, the University of Florida conducted a field trial with Strong Microbials’ SuperDFM®+P801™. This study followed sixty hives for two months. In the end, it showed that hives treated with SuperDFM®+P801™ showed a significant improvement in hive weight and a tendency towards better survivorship. Twice as many colonies in the control group died compared to the hives supplemented with SuperDFM®+P801™. EAS Master Beekeeper Carol Hoffman said, “The fungicide use in the California Central Valley increased in recent years, affecting bee health. Beekeepers need to find new approaches to keeping healthy bees.” SuperDFM®+P801™ is available NOW!
Learn more about how to Protect Bees From Pesticides.
Learn more about how to Test the Quality of Your DFMs.
For additional information, please reach out to info@strongmicrobials.com Download our SuperDFM+P801 Press Release