What’s killing the bees?
Mass bee die-offs is nothing new. Reports as far back as 1869 chronicled the agony of beekeepers as their honey bee colonies succumbed to disease and pests.
However, today's die-offs are much more dangerous. Why? Because, today bees are put in trucks and driven up to 3000 miles (4800 kilometers) to pollinate crops and orchards. This is how scarce the bee populations are and how desperate our farmers are becoming.
Not only is transporting hives disruptive to the colony, but it leaves them susceptible to diseases and pests. Normally, a healthy colony would develop an immunity to such influences, but moving hives from place to place introduceds them to a huge group of other travelers who are already weary and stressed from the journey. Unknowingly, those compromised bees carry these foreign pests and diseases back home.
As a result, mites that were once localized are now widespread. To make matters worse, some pests can take over a year to kill the host. The bees are travel weary, sick, and dying a slow death.
While you may not be a beekeeper, there are some things that you can do.
What is Monoculture?
Monoculture is the practice of growing just one type of crop. That's not great for the bees. Just like humans, bees need variety for a healthy immune system. If available, choose locally grown organic foods. Generally, smaller farms have many crops grown alongside and sometimes intermixed. Also, most organic farmers appreciate beneficial insects and the benefits they provide for their business.
The next time your veggies look perfect, ask yourself ‘why did an insect pass this up?’. If an insect hasn’t nibbled on your lettuce, maybe you shouldn’t either.
A healthy garden has creatures that all play a part. Some of them, such as snails, slugs, and beetles, can cause damage. Before jumping in to kill pests, decide if the damage is extensive and threatening the life of the plant. If so, action may be needed.
Choosing the best course of action is important. Pesticides are deadly to bees, and, even when used sparingly, can weaken their immune system. Look for alternatives to chemical pesticides if you’re having an issue.
Look for natural solutions. At the soil level, beer in a shallow cup is all it takes to get rid of slugs and snails. In raised beds, many have found that a strip of copper stapled completely around the bed will give them a shock and send them packing. For weeds, corn gluten can be applied at their base as a natural herbicide.
To halt damage to the plant mix Kaolin Clay with water and spray it directly onto all parts of the plant except the flowers. This should only be applied at night, when the bees are done with their work for the day.
These are just a few examples of the many bee-friendly options you can use while caring for your garden. For a more extensive list, including level of toxicity, see the Xerces Organic Approved Pesticides Factsheet.
If you must use a chemical pesticide, never spray during daylight and keep it off of flower buds or open flowers. For more tips visit planetbee.org
Encroachment on Habitat
Habitat loss is also a contributing factor to the decline of wild bees. A standard urban neighborhood is built with pavement and installed lawn on every square inch. That limits were bees can live as many species nest at ground level or even underground.
Do you really need all that grass? It’s a hassle right? Look into flowering ground covers and taller decorative grasses. No mowing or chemical fertilizers required! And you might even start to enjoy the sight of a flowering dandelion instead of running for the bottle of herbicide.
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