Beekeeping in the U.S. is Under Attack!

The United Sates  has a large apicultural industry with thousands of honey bee colonies operated by full-time or sideline commercial beekeepers as well as hobbyist beekeepers. In addition to honey production, bees also pollinate many important fruit and vegetable crops, including specialty citrus, blueberries, strawberries, cucumbers, squash, watermelons, avocados, and even almonds.

Honey bee pollination activity is responsible for increased yields of these and numerous other crops. Over the years the beekeeping industry in the North America  has suffered very high numbers of business shutdowns and losses to pests. Despite the benefits of pollination services to the food industry, the beekeeping in the U.S. industry is currently in decline.

Some of the threats to beekeeping are:

·         Foreign imports of honey

·         Low prices for honey

·         Decline of honey bee populations due to pests

·         Resistance to presticides for control of mites

·         High cost of beekeeping

·         Losses to honey bee diseases

·         Potential contamination of honey by pesticides

·         Potential adulteration of honey by other sweeteners

·         Pesticide exposure to bees from nearby ag operations

·         Lack of suitable bee pasturage and colony sites

·         Low recruitment of new beekeepers to the industry

·         Lack of skilled or willing workers

·         and finally, Losses to bears and other predators

Source: The University of Florida Extension Service.

10 things to do to help honey bees:

Dr Ivor Davis, master beekeeper and past president of the British Beekeepers' Association, suggests 10 things anyone can do to help protect our honeybees

1. Become a beekeeper

Beekeeping is a most enjoyable, fascinating and interesting hobby – and you get to eat your own honey too. Every year local beekeeping associations run courses to help new people to take up beekeeping and even help them find the equipment they need and a colony of bees. Training programs continue to allow enthusiasts to become Master Beekeepers.
 

2. Help to protect swarms

Swarming is a natural process when colonies of honeybees can increase their numbers. If you see a swarm contact the local authority or the police who will contact a local beekeeper who will collect the swarm and take it away. Honeybees in a swarm are usually very gentle and present very little danger. They can be made aggressive if disturbed or sprayed with water. Just leave them alone and wait for a competent beekeeper to arrive.
 

3. Plant your garden with bee friendly plants

In areas of the country where there are few agricultural crops, honeybees rely upon garden flowers to ensure they have a diverse diet and to provide nectar and pollen. Encourage honeybees to visit your garden by planting single flowering plants and vegetables. Go for all the allium family, all the mints, all beans except French beans and flowering herbs. Bees like daisy-shaped flowers - asters and sunflowers, also tall plants like hollyhocks, larkspur and foxgloves. Bees need a lot of pollen and trees are a good source of food. Willows and lime trees are exceptionally good.

4. Buy local honey

Local honey will be prepared by local beekeepers. This keeps food miles down and helps the beekeeper to cover the costs of beekeeping. Local honey complies with all food standards requirements but is not mistreated to give it a long shelf life. It tastes quite different to foreign supermarket honey and has a flavor that reflects local flora.

5.  Ask your legislator to improve research into honey bee health

Beekeepers are very worried that we do not have enough information to combat the diseases that affect honeybees. Pollination by honeybees contributes to the agricultural economy. Write to your legislator in support of the bee health research funding campaign.

6. Find space for a beehive in your garden

Many would-be beekeepers, especially in urban areas, find it difficult to find a safe space for their colony of bees. If you have some space contact your local beekeeping association and they could find a beekeeper in need of a site. It is amazing what a difference a beehive will make to your garden. Crops of peas and beans will be better, fruit trees will crop well with fruit that is not deformed and your garden will be buzzing!

7. Remove jars of foreign honey from outside the back door

Believe it or not but honey brought in from overseas contains bacteria and spores that are very harmful to honeybees. If you leave a honey jar outside it encourages honeybees to feed on the remaining honey. There is a good possibility that this will infect the bee and in turn the bee will infect the rest of the colony resulting in death of the colony. Always wash out honey jars and dispose of them carefully.

8. Encourage local authorities to use bee friendly plants in public spaces

Some of the country's best gardens and open spaces are managed by local authorities. Recently these authorities have recognized the value of planning gardens, roundabouts and other areas with flowers that attract bees. Encourage your authority to improve the area you live in by adventurous planting schemes. These can often be maintained by local residents if the authority feels they do not have sufficient resources.

9. Learn more about this fascinating insect

Beekeeping is fascinating. Honeybees have been on this earth for about 25 million years and are ideally adapted to their natural environment. Without honeybees the environment would be dramatically diminished. Invite a beekeeper to come and talk to any local group you support and give an illustrated talk about the honeybee and the products of the hive. They might bring a few jars of honey too Honeybees are a part of our folklore and are one of only two insect species that are managed to provide us with essential services.

10. Bee friendly

When kept properly, bees are good neighbors, and only sting when provoked. Beekeepers wear protective clothing when they are handling bees. If a bee hovers inquiringly in front of you when unprotected, do NOT flap your hands. Stay calm and move slowly away, best into the shade of shed or a tree. The bee will soon lose interest. It is worth remembering that bees do not like the smell of alcohol on people, the "animal" smell of leather clothing, even watchstraps. Bees regard dark clothing as a threat – it could be a bear! Bees are sometimes confused by scented soaps, shampoos and perfumes, best avoided near the hive.

source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/may/13/wildlife.endangeredspecies