How does 5G radiation affect bees? What the science says

Bees and electromagnetic radiation : this was the focus of the study Oxidative Stress Response of Honey Bee Colonies (Apis mellifera L.) during Long-Term Exposure at a Frequency of 900 MHz , led by Marinko Vilić and his team at the University of Zagreb. The research analyzes how exposure to electromagnetic fields can affect bee physiology and what implications this has for hive health.

Exposure of bees to radiation: how the study was conducted

Vilić and his team evaluated the effects of long-term exposure to 900 MHz on royal colonies of Apis mellifera . Fifteen hives were distributed in three locations with different electric field levels : low (~30 mV/m), medium (~70 mV/m), and high (~1000 mV/m). Over the course of a year, they took samples of larvae, pupae, and adult bees at 2 weeks, 5 months, and 12 months of exposure.

Antioxidant enzyme activity (glutathione S-transferase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase) and lipid peroxidation were measured using TBARS, an indicator of cellular damage caused by free radicals. Data were analyzed by developmental stage, field strength, and exposure time to detect oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress in bees: main findings

The results showed that prolonged exposure can induce oxidative stress in bees, with variations depending on the developmental stage and field intensity. Larvae were the most sensitive, showing significantly higher levels of TBARS at the highest intensity site. The highest levels of catalase and TBARS were detected in the intestines, indicating that this area is critical for managing oxidative stress .

Glutathione S-transferase showed no systematic differences, and superoxide dismutase showed time- and site-dependent variations, with no direct correlation with field strength. The most notable differences appeared from the second week of exposure.

5G Radiation and Bee Colonies: What We Know

Although the results show physiological effects, they do not indicate that 5G causes colony abandonment . The study used 900 MHz, a traditional mobile phone frequency, not the current 5G bands (3.5 GHz or mmWave). The observed effects are biochemical, not behavioral: no loss of orientation or colony collapse was documented.

Simulations and other studies suggest that higher frequencies may increase energy absorption by insects, but this only predicts a potential risk. Currently, there is no conclusive evidence that commercial 5G networks affect hive health .

The study by Vilić et al. demonstrates that exposure to 900 MHz can cause oxidative stress in bees , especially at early stages. However, it does not support alarmist claims such as "5G causes abandoned hives." Studies with real-life 5G networks, behavioral monitoring, and multi-species evaluation are needed to understand the potential risks. The science calls for caution and continued research without drawing premature conclusions.