Disappearing Bees – Solutions

Possible Solutions

bees pollinateIn my last blog I discussed how bees are disappearing in large numbers and that this is causing, amongst other issues, a potential problem with our food supply, much of which relies on honeybees for pollination.   It is called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), and no one really knows why it occurs.

Several theories have been proposed – the most commonly cited possible causes are:

  • Widespread use of toxic herbicides and pesticides on crops – the chemicals kill the bees as well
  • Mites, such as the parasitic Varoa mite, can kill entire colonies
  • Cell phones ringing while beekeepers are working close to bees cause problems for the bees
  • Stress on bees from long-distance transportation to new crops, as well as diet problems due to feeding techniques and mono-cropping.
Disappearing Bees in the US
Disappearing Bees in the US

So, what can be done?

Because parasitic mites are shown to be a problem in some cases of CCD, researchers have identified a type of fungus which kills off the mites but leaves the bees untouched.   They suggest foot baths full of the fungus at the entrances to beehives.  Bees constantly pass food and pheromones, so they would quickly pass the fungus around their colony, unwittingly protecting themselves against the parasitic mites.

Using one creature to protect a second against a third, however, is something I personally find rather worrying — we genuinely don’t know the consequences of such actions.  Past efforts with different species have had mixed success.  (Rabbits were introduced from Europe to Australia to provide food – now they are responsible for massive species loss there, as well as erosion, to use one well-known example),

Efforts to genetically modify bees that are resistant to predators and pathogens could also prove fruitful, although such high-tech solutions are still untested and could lead to unintended consequences.

There is speculation that greener management practices could be the answer even if direct causes are not determined.

My personal suggestion is as follows:  It is unlikely that mono-cropping will end any time soon – it is the most efficient and cost-effective method of producing large volumes of a crop.  However, you and I can do our bit by encouraging small-scale organic farming by buying good quality, local organic food.  Because it is small-scale, there is variety of crops, and no toxic chemicals are used.  This methodology is considerably more bee-friendly.

At this point, it’s unclear exactly where the honeybee species is headed and exactly how the drop in population will affect the world’s food supply. Although the drop in population may not lead to the sudden extinction of the human race, it is likely to have a substantial effect on what we eat if it continues.

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Tags

Bees, eco friendly, environment, honeybees, protect the planet, solutions


  • Clare, people forget how importat bees are for crops to grow and fruit to pollenate
    Scott Sylvan Bell

  • I’m absolutely intrigued by this topic. I was unaware that honeybees were so crucial to the environment. Please keep us up to date with permanent solutions so we can better prtect ourselves and the planet.

  • Its really hard to say what can be done in a situation such as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) with the bee colonies, but I agree with you, introducing a fungus that can kill the parasites is a scary solution. If they can not find the exact reason why CCS occurs, how can they devise a solution?

    Thanks for the info!

  • Hi Green Goddess,

    It is good to know that there is a solution for the bee problem.

    Happy Dating and Relationships,

    April Braswell

  • Hi Clare,
    You are welcome! Thanks for writing about this very important subject that is close to my heart.

    Two suggestions to help the bees: if you don’t want to become a beekeeper yourself, invite a beekeeper to keep a hive in your yard or your land. Many backyard beekeepers would like to keep more bees, but don’t have the space in their yard for more hives.

    Lastly, if a neighbor beekeeper wants to keep a hive in their yard, let them! Amazingly, with all the trouble the bees are having, neighbors are often reluctant to have hives next door for fear of getting stung. In all the three years we’ve kept bees, not one neighbor has gotten stung yet.

    Long live the bees!

    Best wishes,
    Mil

  • I live in Canyon Country California, just out side Los Angeles. For the past 10 years at least, I would see 1 or 2 bees on my Bottle Brush and Jasmine bushes and quite frankly I was disturbed.But for what ever reason this year they’re back in solid numbers. There actually becoming annoying. But that’s a good thing. Thought you might like to know.

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