Honey Bees and Humane Euthanasia

Abstract

Euthanasia of animals is a cornerstone of veterinary medicine. Currently, no official criteria are set for the euthanasia or dispatch of a honey bee colony. Many methods are used around the world and vary with regards to technique, materials, volume of agent used, and timing. Each method described has its own level of effectiveness, safety, and humaneness. Although current, commonly used, methodologies may not meet the criteria of humane euthanasia, veterinarians can still apply the professional standard to other key aspects of the act of euthanasia.

Keywords: Colony depopulation; Colony destruction; Euthanasia; Honey bees.