Survey questionnaire and data of health management strategies of resilient honey bee stock throughout Southern California

The dataset includes two primary components: (1) a survey questionnaire, which outlines the full set of questions designed to investigate beekeeping practices, colony health management strategies, and environmental conditions; and (2) the corresponding survey data, containing anonymized responses from 121 participants, primarily hobbyist beekeepers across Southern California. The data capture key variables such as colony origin, disease management practices, spending patterns, and perceptions of colony health. The dataset is structured to facilitate efficient analysis, with coded responses and clearly defined variables. It holds significant reuse potential for researchers examining honey bee health, sustainable apiculture practices, and the economic implications of different management strategies. Additionally, these data may benefit stakeholders in environmental policy, sustainable agriculture, and beekeeping education. Ethical considerations were carefully addressed, with data anonymization ensuring participant confidentiality. All participants provided informed consent, and the study was conducted in compliance with University of California Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols (HS 22-135).

Methods
The data were collected via a Qualtrics-based online survey distributed to participants during the 2023 University of California Riverside Center for Integrative Bee Research (CIBER) Honey Bee Health Conference. The survey featured multiple-choice, ranking, and open-ended questions to explore beekeeping practices and colony management strategies. Data were systematically coded and reviewed for accuracy before analysis.

This dataset provides a valuable resource for future research exploring the resilience of stress-tolerant honey bee genotypes and the socioeconomic factors influencing beekeeping practices. Researchers are encouraged to reference the associated manuscript for detailed insights into the study's findings and analysis.