"the bee is more honored than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others." -St. john chrysostom

First Let's

Discover
Picture





​

​


​Here are some alarming facts about declining honey bee populations:
  • Since 1970, the number of managed U.S. honey bee colonies has dropped from 4 million hives to 2.5 millions hives (according to Jennifer Sass of the Natural Resources Defense Council).
  • As of 2016, 7 honey bee species were given the endangered status by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • In 2017, about 33% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. This suprisingly high percentage has been typical for beekeeepers over the past decade​. 

Now let's WORK

Conserve

There are many factors responsible for killing honey bees...
  • Neonicotinoid pesticides are suspected to disorient honey bees through interfering with neurotransmitters and weakening them slowly (making them more susceptible to disease). This causes honey bees to lose their way back to the hive, and it disrupts their communication with the colony. 
  • Environmental toxins (from fertilizers, household, and industrial chemicals)
  • Poor nutrition due to habitat loss (open meadows replaced by shopping malls, housing developments, etc.) and monoculture (lack of crop variety)
  • Parasites and disease including Varroa Mites, Foulbrood,  Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus, Tracheal Mites, and Small Hive Beetles.
  • Honey bee swarm extermination by pest exterminators instead of relocation by beekeepers

IT'S UP TO US

Change
Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to help honey bees...
  • Buy organic foods
  • Avoid using pesticides on home gardens and lawns
  • Plant a pollinator garden 
  • Support local beekeeeprs (and bees!) by buying local honey, check out www.tidewaterbeekeepers.net/ to buy honey
  • Call a beekeeper to remove honey bee swarms in undesirable locaions (if you live in the Tidewater area call Tidewater Beekeepers Association's Swarm Coordinator at 757-285-4509 to for free swarm removal)
  • SPREAD THE WORD about disappearing honey bees and how to save them
  • Attention Teachers and Instructors: EDUCATE others about honey bees using  free Abuzz for Honey Bees lesson materials (found on this website)

Photo used under Creative Commons from northworrell1