Bee supplements may help honeybees survive cold, study finds

London: Food supplements could help honeybees cope with cold linked to the climate crisis, new research suggests.

Scientists found worker bees given a mix of probiotics and inulin survived longer in cold than bees on a normal sugar diet. But the supplements offered little protection against extreme heat — in lab tests at 40°C, all bees died within days.

Researchers say the findings may help managed colonies survive winter, when bees rely on stored food. However, experts warned supplements are not a fix for bigger threats. “Supplementation deals with immediate stress, not causes like habitat loss and pesticides,” said lead scientist Dr Najmeh Sahebzadeh of the University of Zabol.

Honeybees are vital for pollinating crops, and scientists say more research is needed to see if benefits work in full hives, not just lab cages.