The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
A nine-day laboratory study found that cerium oxide nanoparticles altered biochemical markers in summer and winter honeybees, with seasonal differences in the response. It did not find a significant effect on survival at the tested concentrations, and it does not show that fuel additives are harming wild bee populations. The key unanswered questions are how much of these particles reaches bees in the environment and whether the laboratory changes affect colonies.
What the study tested
M. Kos and colleagues studied cerium(IV) oxide nanoparticles (nCeO2) in Carniolan honeybees (Apis mellifera carnica). The bees were given food containing the particles by mouth for nine days, at concentrations from 2 to 500 mg/L. The researchers compared summer and winter bees and measured acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in the bees’ heads, thoraces and haemolymph. The paper was published in Environmental Science: Nano in 2017.
Cerium oxide nanoparticles are used as a fuel catalyst, among other applications. A 2017 Chemistry World report described a possible environmental pathway: particles released into the air could settle on plants and come into contact with pollinators. That is a potential route, not evidence that bees encounter the concentrations used in the experiment.
What changed in the bees
The study reported significant biochemical alterations beginning at 2 mg/L. The pattern depended on the enzyme measure and body fraction:
#1 Best Overall
- Assembled Bee Hive Box - 1 Assembled Deep Brood Box (16-1/4″ x 19-7/8″ x 9-5/8″) Coated with Beeswax
- Frame With Foundation - Unassembled 10 Pack Deep Brood Frames Made From Pine Wood and 10 Pcs Foundation Sheets Made From Food Grade Plastic Dipped in Beeswax
- Complete Beehive Starter Kit - Includes Wax Coated Assembled Deep Brood Box with 10 Pack Frames, Solid Bottom Board, Telescoping Top Cover, Inner Cover, Queen Excluder, Entrance Reducer, 13 Pcs Necessary Beekeeping Tools and Professional Bee Suit
- Durable Material - With Heavy Wax Coated Cedarwood Beehive and Pinewood Honeycomb Foundation Frame, This Bee Hive is Stylish and Beautiful; Beeswaxed Food Grade Plastic Foundation Help Bees Build Their Nests Quickly
- Beekeeping Supplies Tool Kit - 1*Bee Smoker,1 Pair Beekeeping Gloves,1*J Hook,1*Spur Wire Wheel Embedder1*Beekeeping Brush,1*Frame Grip1*Marking Tube1*Queen Bee Cage1*Uncapping Fork,1*Plastic beekeeping Tool,1*Bee Feeder,1*Uncapping Tool,1*Bee Suit
- AChE in the salt-soluble fraction: activity increased in summer bees.
- GST: activity increased in summer bees.
- AChE in the detergent-soluble fraction: activity decreased at nearly all tested concentrations, but increased at 250 mg/L.
The authors described these biochemical changes as sublethal effects. They are evidence that the tested exposure affected biological markers; they do not, by themselves, demonstrate impaired foraging, colony failure or population decline.
Why summer and winter bees differed
Summer and winter honeybees have different seasonal physiology and life histories, and the study found that their responses to exposure were not identical. That makes season an important factor when interpreting the results, but it does not establish that every bee species—or even every honeybee population—will respond in the same way.
Rank #2
- DURABLE MATERIAL - With Heavy Wax Coated Cedarwood Beehive and Pinewood Honeycomb Foundation Frame, This Bee Hive is Stylish and Beautiful; Beeswaxed Food Grade Plastic Foundation Ensures the Happy and Security of Your Honey
- PREMIUM DESIGN - The Honeycomb Frame is Designed with Dovetail Joints for Easy Installation. A Pre-assembled and Metal Top Cover and Wax Coated Hive Body Helps Keep The Interior Dry
- REMOVABLE BOARDS - All Boards are Prepared ,Sanded and Wax Coated for Security Use. Inner Boards are Designed with Vents For Better Ventilation. A Detachable Bottom Board with an Entrance Reducer Allow For Easy Cleaning And Protection For Your Bees
- LARGE SPACE - The Entire 2 Layer Hive measures 16.3"(W)x 19.9"(D) x20"(H), while the medium box is 19.9" x 16.3" x 6.6" and deep inset box is 19.9" x 16.3" x 9.5"; Each box holds 10 frames and foundations; Ample space for honey collection
- COMPLETE KIT - Comes with 1 x Bottom Board, 1 x Entrance Reducer, 1 x Inner Cover, 1 x Top Cover, 1 x Queen Excluder, 10 x Deep Frames (including beeswaxed plastic foundation),10x Medium Frames (including beeswaxed plastic foundation) 1x Medium Box and 1x Brood Box. Easy to assemble and can be set-up in 30 minutes
What the survival result means
At concentrations up to 500 mg/L, the researchers found no statistically significant effect on survival; reported mortality was below 10%. This does not cancel out the biochemical findings: a biological marker can change without a detectable survival difference during a short experiment. Conversely, the marker changes do not prove that the bees suffered lasting harm.
What the results do—and do not—say about fuel additives
The study supports concern that oral exposure to cerium oxide nanoparticles can produce sublethal biochemical changes in honeybees under laboratory conditions. It does not establish that fuel additives have caused wild-bee declines. In particular, 2 mg/L was a tested food concentration, not a measured level in the field, and the cited sources do not establish how much cerium oxide nanoparticles pollinators encounter in nature.
Rank #3
- COMPLETE BEEHIVE KIT: The complete bee starter kit consists of 1 deep brood box (19.88*16.25*9.56), 10 deep unassembled frames with foundation sheets, 1 beehive bottom board, 1 entrance reducer, 1 telescoping top cover, 1 inner cover, 1 plastic queen excluder
- BEEKEEPING SUPPLIES TOOLS KIT: This is a nice beekeeping starting kit that contains most of the beekeeping tools you will need. Such as bee smoker, honey gate, beekeeping gloves, uncapping tools and so on
- BEEKEEPING HAT WITH VEIL: This beekeeping veil features a 360° brim design. It is breathable and keeps bees out while keeping you breathing
- ASSEMBLED BEE BOX: The beehive box comes assembled. The frames and foundations come unassembled, but putting the wooden frames and foundations together is very easy and nails are provided
- MATERIALS: The beehives are made of cedar wood, with a dovetail joint design to make the beehive structure more sturdy. The beekeeping tools set is made of stainless steel, plastic and other materials, not easy to deform, strong and durable
The researchers attributed most observed effects to the particles themselves because the food contained negligible cerium-ion species. The Chemistry World report said most nanoparticles appeared to remain in the digestive system; whether they move to other body regions was still an open question. The report also noted the difficulty of accurately measuring ecological concentrations and quoted Ryszard Maleszka of the Australian National University cautioning that chronic laboratory testing may not represent environmental exposure.
The most defensible conclusion is therefore limited: this experiment identifies a potential hazard under a specific oral-exposure design, but it does not quantify real-world risk. Establishing field risk would require evidence about environmental concentrations, exposure routes and whether the biochemical changes translate into meaningful effects on bee health or colonies.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Beeswax Coating: BeeCastle beehive is beeswax coated, which makes BeeCastle bee hives durable. Beekeepers no longer have to coat their bee hives, saving effort and convenience
- Superior Design: This beehives have pre-cut dovetail joints and pre-drilled holes, which make assembly a breeze. The dovetail design is not only easy to assemble but also tight fitting with support for the beehive box
- Durable Material: Beehive Frames was made of pinewood. BeeCastle 10 frame bee hive box was made of cedarwood material, which is solid and durable
- Standard Size: Deep Brood Bee Boxes (16-1/4″ x 19-7/8″ x 9-5/8″) and Medium Super Bee Boxes (16-1/4″ x 19-7/8″ x 6-5/8″). This 10 frame beehive is a standard Langstroth beehive dimension
- Beehive Starter Kit: This 10 frame bee hive starter kit includes Metal Cover, Inner Cover, Queen Excluder, Solid Bottom Board, Entrance Reducer, Beehive Mouse Guard, Screws and Nails, 1 Medium Box, 2 Deep Boxes and 30pcs Beehive Frames and Foundations
Rank #4
- Complete Beehive Starter Kit: Includes Wax Coated Assembled Deep Brood Box, Solid Bottom Board, Telescoping Top Cover, Inner Cover, Queen Excluder, and Entrance Reducer
- Beekeeping Supplies Tool Kit: Includes a Bee Smoker, Bee Frame Holder and Organizer Tote Bag, along with 19 Other Necessary Beekeeping Tools for Beekeepers
- Free Size Bee Suit: The Beehive Starter Kit Includes Leather Gloves and a Beekeeping Jacket and Pants.
- Beehive Frame and Foundation Sheet: 10pcs Unassembled Deep Brood Frames Made of Pine Wood and 10 Foundation Sheets Made of Black Food Grade Plastic Dipped in Beeswax.
- Beehive Material: BeeCastle Hives' Exterior Parts are Made of Cedarwood and Coated with Beeswax, Making Them More Durable than Other Beehive Boxes and Less Prone to Warping
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
