Abell Pest Control Marks World Honey Bee Day with Funding for Canadian Bee Gut Research

TORONTO – Ahead of World Honey Bee Day on Aug. 16, Abell Pest Control is strengthening its commitment to pollinator health by supporting the Canadian Bee Gut Research Project at the University of Guelph.

The new funding will enable an undergraduate student to contribute to research focusing on the health of honey bees, pollinators vital to global food security and ecosystem balance. This initiative builds on Abell’s ongoing investment in the next generation of scientists working to protect pollinators.

Led by Dr. Brendan Daisley, the Canadian Bee Gut Research Project is exploring the role of the bee microbiome in disease resistance and overall colony health. The research team is developing probiotic treatments to support bees’ natural gut bacteria, helping them fight off infections without relying on antibiotics, whose use has declined globally due to concerns around antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

“We thought reducing antibiotics would improve bee health, but without strong alternatives, bees became more vulnerable to disease,” said Daisley. “Our goal is to strengthen bees from the inside out, using natural, targeted treatments that support long-term colony survival.”

A recent University of Guelph study published in Nature Sustainability analyzed over 700,000 honey bee colonies per year between 2015 and 2023. It found that winter colony losses more than doubled over that period. The study also identified nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a common air pollutant, as a possible factor in disrupting bees’ ability to locate flowers, further compounding threats to their survival.

Abell Pest Control’s donation will help advance this vital work, which sits at the intersection of pollinator health, environmental sustainability and global food security.

“Honey bees are essential to our environment and food systems, and their survival is under serious threat,” said Brett MacKillop, president, Abell Pest Control. “Our support for the Canadian Bee Gut Research Project reflects our deep belief that responsible pest management means protecting pollinators and working with nature, not against it.”

Abell’s partnership with the University of Guelph goes well beyond a single donation. Since 2017, the company has contributed over $50,000 to fund the Abell Pest Control Scholarship in Pollinator Research, supporting full-time students dedicated to innovative work that protects pollinators, particularly bees.

“World Honey Bee Day is the perfect opportunity to reflect on how much we rely on natural systems and how we can all play a part in protecting them,” said MacKillop. “We’re proud to support the University of Guelph’s incredible work and to be part of the solution.”