Miners once carried canaries to warn of toxic gases. We use bees and portable computers to assess environmental hazards through the development of electronic hives, toxicological models, extensive databases, and pattern-recognizing software that help assess risks posed by metals, radiation, biologicals, and chemicals, including industrial, military, and agricultural (pesticides) materials. The goal is the early identification of environmental threats so corrective action can take place before further harm occurs. The challenge is to identify cause and effect for contaminant exposure while recognizing the influence of other variables such as mites, bee diseases, and management practices. Real-time monitoring of colony activities and conditions is an integral part of this effort.