EPA inaction blamed as US bees suffer second highest colony losses on record

[turbinetree]

By Common Dreams
Published June 24, 2021

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Beekeepers this year in the United States reported the second highest annual loss of managed honey bee colonies since records began in 2006, according to results of a nationwide survey released Wednesday.

The non-profit Bee Informed Partnership (BIP) said in its preliminary analysis that beekeepers—ranging from small backyard keepers to commercial operations—lost 45.5% of their colonies between April 2020 and April 2021. The results are based on a survey of over 3,300 U.S. beekeepers managing a combined 192,384 colonies.

"The worrisome part is we see no progression towards a reduction of losses.

https://www.rawstory.com/epa-inaction-blamed-as-us-bees-suffer-second-highest-colony-losses-on-record/

We are so fucked if this isn't stopped...we need bees to have food, that is the bottom line....

[Wicked Blue]

1. I was so happy my neighbors started keeping bees this year

It's wonderful to see honeybees again.

[turbinetree]

4. When I am mowing my lawn and see a honey bee's on the clover in my yard, I stop so they can escape

the mower blades, call me eccentric, but without these bees we are in so much, trouble, and I do not think a human being will go and pollinate fruit trees and other plants, we are just not equipped or sufficient to do it...I put clover in my yard for a reason to attract bees.....next up apple trees and peach trees and some strawberries....

[Wicked Blue]

6. Wonderful!

I've been planting to attract bees for several years too.
Bee balm, lemon balm, lavender, various mints and sages, and a whole lot more I can't remember offhand.

[SheltieLover]

2. K&R!

[getagrip_already]

3. rawstory sux.....

The real report is here: https://beeinformed.org/2021/06/21/united-states-honey-bee-colony-losses-2020-2021-preliminary-results/

Not surprisingly, the varoa destructor mite was reported to be the number one issue. It causes multiple viral issues in honey bee colonies and if left untreated, will collapse a colony. Warning: that statement will trigger a large group (of anti-vax like beings) who will violently argue the point.

The number two issue reported was queen related issues. Queens mate during a very brief window with up to 20 males and store the sperm for the rest of their lives. Interesting creatures for sure, but pesticides, heat, and drone health (they are affected by varoa mites as well) can all cause fertility issues in a queen. If a queen is lost when no quality males are around for a virgin to mate with, the colony will perish. Likewise, a weak queen will get to a point where she lays only males, and the colony will perish.

Luckily, honey bees are programmed to reproduce their colonies, so keepers can recover.

Honey bees are not endangered, but other pollinators are.

[turbinetree]

5. Thank you for your post...