I had no idea about the environmental stressors affecting honeybees and other insect pollinators before having a beehive this April. My mentor in this endeavor, Ryan Smith, never really talked about it. He just asked if I'd be interested in having a hive in my backyard.
In the past, harmony was a word that I used exclusively to describe the sound of the music of groups like The Beach Boys and Crosby, Stills, and Nash. I have never been an environmental activist, though I have been sympathetic to environmental issues. But having a hive of honeybees in my backyard has opened the door to the truth of the interdependence, interconnectedness, and the need to live in harmony with insect pollinators.
Insect pollinator species are in decline here in the United States and world wide. The honeybee, due to it's social nature and commercialization, is the species where this decline has been most noticeable. Here in the US, managed honeybee hives have declined from about 4 million hives at the end of World War 2 to about 2.5 million hives today. Feral (wild) honeybees have all but disappeared. This has happened at the same time when the crops raised needing insect pollinators has increased by 300%. In recent years commercial beekeepers in the United States have averaged Winter hive losses of over 30%. Fifteen percent is considered normal. Current loss rates have been termed unsustainable
Fully one third of the food on our tables comes as a result of insect pollinators. Sure, I like oatmeal, but I wouldn't want it to be my primary food. And if it were, I'd want to have it topped with blueberries or strawberries. No bees means no blueberries or strawberries. In fact, we can kiss up to 100 food crops goodbye. Agricultural and backyard gardening practices that emphasize pollinator health will go a long way to safe-guarding pollinator survival and our food supply. Can you say, "National and Global Security Concern?" Sure, I think you can!
Here are three short videos that I think explain things a little better. Each one is about 12 - 15 minutes long. The are in descending order, from the oldest to the newest. I hope that you find them as interesting and informative as I have.
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Apiarist, Dennis vanEngelsdorp: A Plea for Bees
University of Minnesota Distinguished McKnight Professor of Apiculture and Social Insects, Marla Spivak: Why are Bees Disappearing?
Commercial Beekeeper John Miller: No Bees, No Food
You can find these videos and more information at Project Apis m at this link: http://projectapism.org
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