Why Are Honey Bees Disappearing?

When I was a kid, my Dad raised honey bees.  I eventually got interested enough to ask about keeping my own hive, and for a few years we did this together.  We  “robbed” the hives and extracted our own honey, which we bottled and consumed.  So, I have an interest in honey bees.  Now, honey bees are starting to disappear in record numbers, with entire colonies simply vanishing.  I started thinking about this after reading this article on sustainable primal agriculture.

Why Are Honey Bees Disappearing?

Photo Credit Don Hankins

There have been many news articles over the last few years on “Colony Collapse Disorder,” which is the mysterious disappearance of entire bee populations.  This is the most dramatic example of honey bees disappearing, and scientists have no explanation.  But the truth is that honey bees have been under assault for quite some time.

Honey bees were brought over to North America in the 1600’s by European settlers, and then expanded across North America.  Bee populations peaked in the 1970’s, and have been on the decline ever since.  The assault started with several species of mites, which severely reduced populations in the 1980’s and early 1990’s.  The mites are also though to carry viruses that further reduce populations.  Toss in the widespread use of pesticides, mono-cultured yards, and global warming, and you begin to see why honey bees are starting to disappear across North America.  In fact, honey bee populations are estimated to be down as much as 71% from the 1970’s.

Why Should You Care About Honey Bees

When it comes to bees, I’d daresay that many of us recall stepping on them in our backyards, with all the ugliness that comes from that sting.  So, you may be inclined to think “good riddance.”  But before you rub your hands in delight, you may want to consider the following:

• Honey bees pollinate up to 90 different plants in the U.S., most of which are nuts, fruits, and vegetables
• By some estimates, up to one-third of the human food supply depends upon insect pollination (most of which comes from European honey bees)
• If honey bees were to disappear entirely, it is estimated the cost to the U.S. economy would approach $15 billion
• Adherents of organic eating often use honey as a sweetener in place of refined sugar
• Locally harvested honey is often used as a natural treatment for allergies
• Even Haagen-Dasz has expressed their concern, stating honey bees are responsible for 40% of their 60 flavors

It’s important to note that since honey bees are not native to North America, native species of plants don’t need their participation for survival.  But the agricultural and ornamental industries must have honey bees to thrive.  The search is on for alternative pollinators, and there are some candidates, but they all have shortcomings relative to the honey bee.  If you don’t believe the situation is serious, take a look at the almond industry.  California provides 80-90% of the global almond supply, and honey bees are the sole pollinator for the industry.

What Can You Do?

It’s very easy to fall into the trap of being glad that you don’t see honey bees in your backyard.  After all, who hasn’t been stung while running barefooted through your yard.  The answer – my kids haven’t.  And what parent would want their kids to be stung?  None of us would, particularly since it presents a very real danger to someone who is allergic.  Yet the truth is, this is symptomatic of a very serious problem.  So, what can you do to help keep honey bees from disappearing entirely?

• Use pesticides judiciously.  Most are toxic to honey bees.  Worse case scenario they get carried back the hive and contaminate the entire colony.
• Don’t buy into the ChemLawn picturesque mono-culture lawn.  Variety isn’t a bad thing.
• Landscape with plants that will provide nectar and pollen for honey bees.  Even if its a small are off-limits to kids, every little bit counts.  This year we put out sunflowers and the bees were all over them.

The problem of colony collapse disorder is garnering attention at the highest levels of government.  But at the individual level, we have the ability to improve their habitat and do our part to enhance their odds of survival.  Make no mistake about it.  It’s in our best interests to do everything possible to help them survive.