News & Reviews

The world is paying attention to the steep decline in bee populations. Concerns about the reduction of pollinators in ecosystems around the world have been supported by numerous research studies. In the past 50 years, the feral honeybee population in the US has dropped by almost 90%. Managed honeybee colonies have decreased by approximately two-thirds.

Our diminishing bee population means much more than empty honey jars. Pollinators play an integral role in the reproduction of many plants by ensuring cross-pollination, essential for some species, and a major factor for maintaining genetic diversity in others. Since plants are the primary food source for animals and humans, the protection of bees has become part of biodiversity conservation efforts. Overall, bees help to pollinate at least 90 important crops, including about one-third of the fruit, vegetables and nuts found in your local supermarket.

What is responsible for the decline of our pollinating animal species? Many theories have been suggested, including pollution, pesticides, parasites, viruses, the spread of diseases, and infestations of beehives.

It is a violation to apply most insecticides on crops when they are in bloom, or to allow the pesticide to drift to blooming weeds that bees are visiting. Still, insecticides are applied frequently with little enforcement from bee protection agents. Pesticide misuse is driving beekeepers out of business and has a severe impact on unprotected native wild bees.

Bumblebee populations are particularly jeopardized in cotton-growing areas and other mono-cropped fields. Mono-cropping requires repeated applications of pesticides and herbicides leaving no safe areas for bees to reproduce. Moreover, many homeowners spray dandelions, clovers and other weeds with pesticides.

There is ample evidence that Genetically Engineered crops have been contributing to bee decline, particularly insect resistant crops producing the Bt-toxin. In fact, the areas where the most bees have disappeared are areas in which Bt crops are being grown. These findings appear to be more than coincidental.

Increased international commerce has moved parasites such as varroa mites and tracheal mites into new parts of the world. This causes population loss in these areas because bees have little resistance to these mites. The varroa mite (nicknamed the “vampire mite” by beekeepers) devastated the nation’s wild honeybees in the late ‘90’s. This tiny Asian mite sucks the juices out of the European honeybees, crippling them and destroying entire colonies. Researchers say they have reduced the number of bees by nearly 30 percent over the least 25 years. The tracheal mite suffocates bees and impedes their ability to fly, rendering them useless as pollinators.

The loss of habitat and forage for bees is another pressing issue. Clear-cut logging, especially when mixed forests are replaced by uniform age pine planting, causes a huge decline of pollinators. Clear-cut logging removes the hardwood bloom that feeds bees early in the season, and removes hollow trees used by feral honey bees, and dead stumps used by solitary bees, for shelter. Property owners often view bees negatively as well. Recent hysteria regarding killer bees has further contributed towards these views. Beekeepers are experiencing increased vandalism of their hives, and have more difficulty finding locations for bee yards. In addition, more people are inclined to sue the local beekeeper if they are stung.

Researchers, beekeepers, governments, and scientists are putting their heads together to strategize about how to create a sustainable environment for our pollinating species. As concerned citizens, we can join the environmental front, supporting diverse wildlife landscaping and planting a variety of crops in fields to reduce our dependency on pesticides.