Bees have feelings too...

In a recent study researchers outlined one major factor that may be playing a big role in Colony Collapse Disorder(CCD); stress.  This isn't the stress that comes from time commitments, agendas, deadlines, financial burdens or trying to cram five hours worth of work into three but it is the stress from external sources forcing the bees to react so that they might survive. These environmental forces are things such as pesticides, parasites and habitat loss.  With these forces being introduced at breakneck speeds, older worker bees are dying because of the stress and the younger workers have to pick up the pace.  Since the younger bees are inexperienced and not as wise, the colony can suffer from their lack of performance.  This is where known science ends and speculation begins.

In the search to find a cause to CCD, scientists and beekeepers have put blame on each of these forces but have not been able to fully place all of the blame upon one or all of them. If we are to consider that all of these factors play a role and that another overriding force increases the probability that the bees would die then we can assume that this additional factor is the catalyst to the imminent demise of the colony. But when the colony is healthy (i.e. not being affected by pesticides, habitat loss or parasites) then it can withstand the blow of being tested.  These tests can come from many avenues including loss of queen, human initiated bee sprays and hive disruption.

 CCD is when a colony of bees disappears; not die off but is gone with no trace of the bees.  Where are they going you might ask?  No one knows but it is our duty to fix what is happening.  Not a beekeeper?  Oh that's cool because if you eat fruits, vegetables and nuts while enjoying a flower garden then you are doing your part.  But awareness and action are the most important steps in helping to get an upper hand on CCD.

Action steps are important for us non-beekeepers.  The first thing that we are to do is build habitats for bees through what we eat.  This can be done in our backyard gardens but it should be done on commercial levels too.  Our food production is a vital source of a bee's food and by encouraging locally grown food we are bringing pollination into our communities. Also we can build native wildflower beds that enable the bees to forage for three seasons of the year. (Seeds can be found here.) 

It can't be said enough, don't use pesticides.  It is easy; really easy, just stop using them.  If bugs are invading your garden and yards then find plants that you can plant that will fend them off. (A good list can be found here.)

As far as parasites go, we leave that up to the beekeepers.  There are tools and techniques that have been developed over the ages that limit the effect of these buggers.

These factors need addressed because, let's face it, you can't put Prozac in a bee box and expect the bees to not be stressed.  Life happens but we have to do our part in helping the most vulnerable aspect of the food chain. If we increase a healthy, natural and native food source for the bees then they will have a better chance at survival.

Info from the tax collectors can be found here.
A leader in the field of swarms and beekeeping can be found at meadowsweetbees.com 
Watch this video for a great perspective on the urban discussion of beekeeping!