Science Current Event:
Why are Bees Dying?

The science current event that has researchers baffled is the mystery of the dying bees.

Farmers, keepers, wildlife researchers and everyday gardeners alike have documented a serious decline in the population. Drastic catastrophic loss of large, commercial hives is being referred to as Colony Collapse Disorder and reports of increased pestilence of parasites in hives (varroa and tracheal mites) along with the social nature of the hives invites more stress and infestation problems as soon as any disease weakens the hive.

Can we reduce the number of dying bees?

• Lack of Education in use of Pesticides-the extensive increase in environment pollution and use of pesticides not only in agricultural settings, but in the suburbs and managed woodlands has led to bees dying as well as many other pollinators. Solving these problems will benefit many of our favorite garden visitors, such as humming birds and the beautiful monarch butterfly.

• Science current events report that even natural herbicides and botanical insecticides are harmful to bees because they dissolve in nectar and attach to pollen poisoning all who visit even after the treatment has dried. They should never be applied during the morning or daylight hours when workers are foraging as contact means instantaneous dying bees.

  Create buffer-zones around crops and gardens of 15-20 feet if you must spray and do so only at night and during winter months when the workers are less active.

• Mowing is a reasonable alternative for dealing with tall, overgrown areas and is less likely to disturb nesting bees in fall or winter; if it must be done, wait until after the plants flower to give bees an opportunity to forage.

• Farmers and gardeners can provide nesting habitat easily by drilling 3/32 to 3/8-inch sized holes about 3-6 inches deep into wooden blocks, fallen logs or stumps and leaving them undisturbed in a naturalized area of the garden.

• Replace traditional lawns (or a portion) and designate an area with low foot-traffic for a variety of native, favorite foraging sources like inexpensive, low-growing clover or herbs such as oregano, thyme, and marjoram.

What else can you do to help? We're glad you asked!