Conclusions
Belgium counts a majority of hobby beekeepers. Understanding their perception of risks affecting colony health and mortality is crucial to analyse the reasons for adopting or rejecting some beekeeping management practices. Beekeepers with a greater level of perceived risk combined with strong perceptions of the benefits of action lead to increased motivation to act in better ways have lower mortality rates. Despite a good general estimate of risks to bee colonies, the agricultural pesticides, and veterinary drug treatment issue appears to be a source of confusion and misunderstanding. Clear and harmonised information should be integrated into risk management recommendations. The lack of feeling of the financial impact that the loss of a colony entails seems to be an obstacle to the implementation of measures to limit the risk. The results of this survey highlight the importance of taking socio-economic determinants into account in any strategy aimed at mitigating the risks associated with bee mortality. To successfully translate recommendations in such a way that the adoption of good management practices will be facilitated, more socio-psychological research is essential.