Honey Bee Losses Continue To Rise In U.S.

Run time: 01:51 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2rntpySfv4   Posted on YouTube: May 28, 2008 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: May 29, 2008 By DU Member: lovuian Views on DU: 1177

 
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080521205303.htm

A recent survey by the Apiary Inspectors of America found that losses nationwide topped 36 percent of managed hives between September 2007 and March 2008, compared to a 31 percent loss during the same period a year earlier.
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"However, the cost of pollination has risen dramatically," he said "This year, apple growers paid about $65 per colony, compared with $35 to $45 in the past." A typical apple orchard requires one colony per acre to achieve adequate pollination. Last year, apple growers harvested about 21,500 acres.

Later this year, pumpkin growers may pay $95 to $105 per colony, compared to $55 to $65 last year, vanEngelsdorp said
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Among the potential triggers being investigated are environmental chemicals. Penn State scientists analyzing pollen, wax, adult bees and brood (larvae) have found the presence of dozens of chemicals, including pesticides used by agricultural producers to protect crops and by beekeepers to control hive pests such as parasitic mites.

"This raises several complicated questions," said Maryann Frazier, senior extension associate in entomology. "Some of these compounds could react with each other to cause toxic effects or could combine with viruses or poor nutrition to weaken immunity and cause colony collapse. We also need to do more research to understand these chemicals' sub-lethal effects on bees."

Though the role of chemicals in Colony Collapse Disorder is still unknown, Frazier noted that beekeepers need more options for controlling varroa mites so they can reduce their reliance on chemicals. "With the sheer number of compounds we're finding in hives, it's hard to believe that pesticides aren't contributing to the general decline in bee health," she said.

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Germany and France has figured it out Penn State better catch up...
But you are getting closer and closer to the answer meanwhile the Bee population in America is dying

For all our so-called sophistication, we are screwed without honeybees to pollinate plants. Screwed. This is a vastly underreported story.

Good post.

Never saw them do that before.

Sometimes window cleaner attracts insects. And my daughter has discovered bees become interested in her perfume sometimes.

Alternatively, poisoned bees may become disoriented in their flight patterns--I hope such is not your case, but if you live near agricultural pesticide using operations...........

NoFederales

Penn State is tiptoeing around the Truth... they have analysed those colonies and seen the pesticides and why don't they give us a list of the chemicals they found in those hives

why are they piece mealing this info to the public

Its because they know that the Extinction of the Bee may halt the Genetic Engineering Machine in its tracks

and I can see Bush going let the Bee die who gives a hoot

Our Children do...

36% Bee loss in MANAGED HIVES

God only knows how many Wild bees have died
we maybe closing on high 40%

if it gets to 50-60 Folks we are looking at Extinction in 2 freakin years

I've seen bumblebees, yellow-jackets, and some creepy, gray, hovering, bee-like insects. But it's been ages since I've seen a true bee.

Bayer is too powerful to be stopped. If Bayer admits their products kill bees, then they would be confessing they are complicit, and most likely would be sued. So, they just barrel ahead with their pesticides/herbicides as though there is no problem.

to see how these bees will do with minimal "fussing". By that, I mean, reducing chemical control for mites; I use the Apistan strips once each Fall, everything else is as natural as possible: "grease" patties just inside the hive entrance make it hard for mites to attach to the bees once the bees have crawled over the patties to get sufficiently lubed; cinnamon sprinkled on trouble spots discourage black ants; keeping hives clean inside and out is essential, especially outside where I use long bolts screwed into the hive's support table legs (for feet)--these bolts rest inside of cans which contain vegetable oil--keeps all manner of crawlies away; water, vinegar, a little sugar, and a banana peel placed in a 2-liter soda bottle with a 1" hole near the top attracts pests, esp. wax moths--I loathe wax moths, nasty buggers can really destroy even a moderately strong hive; and controlling the hive entrance opening.

I no longer buy bees, esp. queens. Catching swarms and splitting strong hives I believe helps keep clean local bees. Three swarms came through the property last week and I managed to keep track of one swarm until it "balled" up on a tree limb so that I could transfer them into my bucket (I'm gettin' too old and short-winded to go crashing through the woods and brush following bees anymore); "we" walked back to a hive box I had waiting and so far they seem to be happy. Cold snaps from Feb through May are also a killer of bees once they become active.

My first "experimental" hive is now 5 years old and is still my strongest hive. I'm happy to share what I know about bees with everyone I meet, but I would find it hard to be civil with the Bayer folks and their neonicotinoid pesticides (PONCHO is one trade name).

I love everything about bees.

NoFederales

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=280x34941

We started two colonies last Spring. They survived the Winter strong and healthy. Populations are high, and they are making honey. We will be splitting our hives in mid Summer.

Our colonies are chemical free. We are using screened bottom boards and powdered sugar for mites. The mites can't hang on to a bee coated with powdered sugar, and fall through the bottom screen on to sticky paper.

We are a many miles way from any agricultural or industrial toxins, urban pollution, or any commercial bee operations (factory bees).

One of the answers to CCD may be low stress, decentralized, local bee colonies in toxin free environments.
Neonicotinoid pesticides should be immediately banned in the US.


Our veggie and fruit production is incredible, the honey is tasty, AND we have become utterly fascinated with our bees.

many interesting (at least to me) shots. This morning, while mowing along the creek bank, I noticed a dinner-plate sized common snapping turtle laying eggs. Her eyes, in typical snapper emotion, were boring at me: get back, you two-legs. Anyway, I need to get some good hive pics for my record/bee journal.

I like powdered sugar,too, but the granulated sugar mixed grease patties do the trick as well. I'm using a slatted "ventilator" between the bottom board and the hive body for the second year--seems to work well.

Bee good.

NoFederales

Loved the music on the video.

Honeybees pollinate 90 crops which account for a third of our food supply and affects what is fed to the animals also.

I think it is the herbicides that have weakened their immune systems and let the viruses affect them more. This is just the beginning.

We all have to think twice and more about what we put on our lawns, flowers etc. Is a picture perfect lawn worth this price?

I hope a solution to this can be found soon.

There are so many bees at my house, its crazy. They make multiple nests on my house every year.

I know they are dropping in numbers someplace, but not here in rural mass.

Maybe a neighbor is a beekeeper. Or, nobody in your vicinity is using that nasty Bayer pesticide.

but I get a whooole lot more than just honeybees at my house. Some of them are so scary I just run for cover!

are defending their hive. They are not agressive. When they do sting, its a suicide mission for the sake of the hive as they die immediately after.

Unlike yellow jackets, wasps, and hornets who will sting and sting again.

Honey bees have hives, rarely sting, and usually build their hives in hollow trees.

Wasps and hornets build paper like nests and are fairly aggressive.

like i mentioned in the other post, my neighbors have a small honey house. Apparently they breed and migrate like the dickens!

It is very interesting activity and much simpler than it may appear. My bees are doing well so far this year. I started out with two hives last year - but one hive just didn't do well so combined them last fall. Visited my hive last weekend and they were too busy to pay attention to the human opening up their roof.

They are very cool little creatures. Love just watching them work.

However my neighbor is allergic :/

Advice? I do want to do it still but I cant really do it on my own property :/

neighbors.

NoFederales

who live about 1 mile away and their property fronts a ravine one side and a river and forest preserve on the other. In our town, honey bees are not technically allowed. When I was looking into getting some hives, spoke with the dept downtown who covers that. They are considered livestock and weren't on the acceptable list. After I have them a few years, will ask the city council to make an amendment. The guy was cool - as long as the bees didn't cause any trouble, he certainly wasn't going to come looking for them.

Since then, I have had several people ask if they could have a couple hives on their property. If I could afford it, I would probably be able to have 10 to 20 hives in a 10 mile radius of where I live.

1) Get in touch with your County Extension.
They are really helpful people, and can make the plunge much easier. While beekeeping is relatively easy, there are some things you have to know in order to keep the colonies healthy.
There are also some regulations regarding inspections and registration of hives.
We generally don't DO government registrations, but decided to register our hives and have them inspected.

2) Join your local Bee Keepers Association.
Beekeepers are some of the most laid back people you will ever meet.
We look forward to our monthly meeting. The local group is a valuable resource for information regarding disease, African Bees, disreputable operators, and local honey flows.
You can also pick up some valuable hands on experience working around hives.
Make no mistake, opening a hive for the first time can be a frightening experience.
You can also pick up free localized bees from people in the association.

3) Never buy used equipment
There are some very persistent pests and diseases that can linger in used equipment.
Used equipment abounds, but is not worth the risk.

I am still concerned about my neighbor though :/

Wake up America!!!

People just don't get it ...how important bees are. Your all going to find out very soon.

initial exposure to the corona virus doesn't cause FIP. FIP requires THREE STRESSORS or more to mutate from corona virus to FIP. These stresses can be surgeries, vaccinations, stress from changing environments or other illnesses, or other chemical exposures. I suspect that CCD works in much the same way; a variety of multiple stresses in quick succession cause an illness which a bee's immune system is unable to cope with. If there were a SINGLE cause it might be easy to deal with. CCD may mean that we have to fundamentally change the way big Ag works to survive.

Got my tin-foil heating up here. Honey is often used as an alternative sweetener in whole foods and the PTB are doing everything in their power to control all the foodsources.

We must have the bees.

Am I correct in thinking that if we eat more honey, we support bee farmers and allow them financially to expand their operations? If so, I will try to add more honey to my diet just to further this.

Also, buy your honey from a local beekeeper.
One of the fringe benefits of consuming local honey is that it will build up your allergy resistance to local pollens. If you are hyperalergic (hay fevers, asthma), it would be best to start slowly.

Honey is medicinal and the gift from the gods

its been shown to be a natural cough syrup for children over the age of one

better than cough syrup from China folks

One thing I'm sure of, I have no problem eating more honey :)