A bait station for survey and detection of honey bees*

Abstract - A bait station was developed in response to needs by regulatory agencies to survey for populations of Africanized honey bees; it is also used in a honey bee abatement system. Bees were attracted with honey and Nasonov pheromone components (1:1 citral:geraniol). A feeder dispensing sucrose solution supported foraging activity sufficient for sampling bees and for abatement activities. Four efficacy tests were conducted using controlled, isolated populations of bees on an island. These and other survey results indicate high baiting efficiency during nectar dearths and favorable flight conditions, but lower efficiency during nectar flows. Properly conducted baiting surveys thus should be effective for detecting honey bees as needed for most regulatory efforts.