In recent years there has been an alarming disappearance of honey bee colonies throughout the United States. It has been referred to by beekeepers as CCD or colony collapse disorder. Until recently it was a complete mystery but it has been discovered that mites, at least in part, have been responsible for attacking the bee colonies leading to their demise.

It is no mystery that the majority of our fruits and vegetables depend upon the pollination from bees to reproduce. Albert Einstein once said that if the bees were to vanish the human race would follow about four years later. This is a very serious problem exceeded in urgency. possibly' only by global warming.

The cause of this was unknown until recently when it was discovered that mites are at least partially responsible the decline of these miraculous little insects? With increased pollution and loss of natural habitat, the immune systems of the bees become weakened The chemicals they are exposed to, especially in suburban areas where herbicides and insecticides are used freely on lawns and gardens have added greatly to the problem. The clover that used to invite bees to its blooms and caused an occasional sting on a bare foot has all but vanished from the suburban lawns in the north. The orange trees are sprayed freely to prevent insects in Florida, and other citrus producing states, without regard to the beneficial ones. Fields and meadows have been sacrificed for tract homes and townhome projects.

What can we do? There are adopt-a-hive programs in place where hives will be placed on farms for a cost of around 150.00 each. People can plant flowering plants in their yards by mixing varieties that will ensure blooms all year long. Honeysuckle is an excellent choice as are other perennial wildflowers and berries. Choose a variety of colors and you will also be rewarded by butterflies and songbirds as well. Buy more honey to encourage the beekeepers to build more hives. Have you ever tried honey straight from the hive? Not only is it delicious, but, it is said to contain macrobiotics that strengthen the digestion and immune system. Bee venom has been used to relieve joint pain for hundreds of years. It causes natural cortisone to flow to the area of a sting relieving the pain for days or even weeks.

The result of a total collapse of the honeybee population would be a catastrophe leading to failure of the truck farms and devastation to the food supply. This would have an adverse reaction on the livestock populations leading to nationwide or even worldwide famine. It has already started right here in the United States. Please go Google and locate those agencies of which there are many, that are working hard through research and replenishment and support them financially. It is a way to ensure food on the table of your children in the future.

Here are a few links

www.savethebees.com

www.helpthehoneybees.com

/www.savethebeesshirts.com

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