The Disappearing Bees
Page last updated:
18th Aug 2008
First we had the scare of the varroa mite which atttaches itself to bees and destroys them. In some parts of the UK wild bee colonies have been practically wiped out.
Now, bees are facing colony collapse. No-one is sure why but hives are just dying out all across Europe and US.
There is a very simple equation here: bees = pollination = food. Without bees - humans will starve.
Some say this colony collapse is due to loss of habitat, others blame cell phone masts. I can't help wondering about GM crops - how much testing has been done in this area with bees? If you know the answer to this one I'd be glad to hear it.
I found an interesting quote from John Taylor, WBA secretary, who is encouraging people to become bee keepers in Wales: "...Albert Einstein once predicted that if bees were to become extinct mankind could only survive for four years. People have looked at this and said that was not exactly true – they’ve estimated it would take seven years..." wow, that makes me feel a good deal better!
There are ways we can help bees. Give part of the lawn over to wild flowers, they look lovely and require very little maintenance. Release any bees trapped in the house, if you find a tired one on a pavement or in your garden, put it safely on a flower or give it a bit of honey. Never kill one, they do a job man will never be able to do as efficiently, they are too precious to our survival.
Latest:
I'm glad of this piece of news. Apparently Colony Collapse is not affecting organic hives. Full story with the Dirt Doctor
6th Sept 2007: Paralysing virus is suspected of causing CCD
March 2008: Hopefully I shall understand this subject a great deal better soon. I have signed up for a bee keepers course with the Mid Bucks Bee Keepers in Wendover.
Photo source: Science Daily
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