The disappearance of the bees
A bee swarm clustering in their natural environment
Frightening but true – we no longer have enough honeybees to pollinate all our crops.
Wild honeybees are nearly extinct in the UK, Germany & Northern China, and from 1985-2005 there was a 53 per cent decline in UK managed honeybee colony numbers.
Parasites and disease, climate change and air pollution all have an impact on bee health, but perhaps the most serious and sinister of all, is the impact of pesticides and insecticides.
It is believed by some sources that one of the main culprits is the commonly used insecticide Neonicotinoids, which it is suggested may impact bees’ ability to forage, to learn and remember navigation routes to and from food sources and have a serious impact on Bees immune systems.
An almond orchard California (courtesy of dailymail.co.uk)
In the mono-culture almond crops of the US and Australia, a lack of honeybees has meant thousands of beehives are trucked in to farms to pollinate the crops. Bees suffer, not only from the constant long distance travel, but also from having only one source of nectar & pollen to live on. The perpetual widespread use of pesticides and fungicides on these crops can cause mass die off.
Mass die off of bees in USA
In northern China, Bees literally don’t exist any more due to the excessive use of insecticides. Gangs of people climb trees with bags of pollen and tiny brushes to hand pollinate fruit crops. This is madness!! If you don’t think this can happen in your country, think again. Bees are disappearing at a rapid pace all over the world.
Hand pollinating fruit crops in China
The conventional, commercial Langstroth beehives and management practices, with their emphasis on honey production can put unnecessary stress on the honeybee colony. It’s a downward spiral with serious consequences for bees, humanity and our planet.
Natural Beekeeping is a powerful way through which we can support bees to reach optimum health and vitality.
It’s not just about the honey
The Kenyan Top Bar Hive
Tips for Natural Beekeeping
See our list of Natural Beekeeping Resources and Natural Beekeeping Books.
