Where have all the bees gone?By Peter Smith
What would be a summer’s day without the buzz of the bees? It could well happen as the little honey bee is under threat.
There are about 250 types of bee in this country. There is the Honey bee, living in colonies of perhaps 50,000 insects in the summer. There are 20 or so varieties of Bumble bee, several endangered, and living in colonies of 150 insects, plus the ‘solitary’ bees – like Carpenter and Masonry bees.
All these bees carry out pollination and it is suggested that one mouthful in three of the food we eat is pollinated by bees. And, of course there’s the honey!
For the last decade, the Honey bees have been under attack from a nasty little mite which lives in the hive and sucks the blood of bee larvae. The result of this is that affected bees often have deformed wings and can’t fly. As there is no food being carried to the hive the colony dies. In addition, affected bees are more prone to other diseases.
Treatments were formulated, but the mites have become resistant to them. New treatments are being tried all the time – some successful, others not.
In the last couple of years a new problem for beekeepers has arisen. Eighteen months ago in the United States, hives were found to be empty with all the bees gone. They had left suddenly, leaving honey and larvae. Just gone. No-one knows where. No swarms or dead bees have been found. Nearly a million – yes! – a million hives have so far been affected.
This of course has affected pollination. Almonds alone in the US need 1.3 million colonies for pollination. And then there are the oranges. And the grapefruit. And the lemons. And the blueberries And…well, you get the picture.
At the moment, no-one knows the reason for this disaster. The finger of blame has been pointed at everything from mobile phones disorientating the bees to pesticides being sprayed on crops, and even little green men. Many conferences are being held and much work is being done to try and ascertain the cause.
We need the bees. Einstein is alleged to have said that if bees disappear, then man would only have four years left on earth.
So, be nice to bees. Why not start bee-keeping? It’s a really fascinating craft. There is a very active local Beekeepers’ Association which holds classes in bee-keeping – and any bee-keeper would love to show you his bees. Members also give illustrated talks on bees to any interested groups – so if you’re interested give me a ring on 864739.
Also, if a swarm of bees should arrive on your property, let me know promptly and I’ll come and get it.