How concerned are you about the alarming decrease in honeybee populations in No.

1. 96

   cat on a soapboxposted 10 years ago

   How concerned are you about the alarming decrease in honeybee populations in No. America?
   
   Without these pollinators, our food supply from agriculture will be seriously affected. What are your thoughts?

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2. 95

   chef-de-jourposted 10 years ago

   True. Not only in the US but all over Europe bees are under tremendous pressure, perhaps like never before in their beautiful communal history.
   
   I've seen t.v. documentaries to make you weep - lost hives, dead bees, absent bees, pesticide hit wild flower areas..out of work honey producers....the list goes on..... but the scientists are trying hard to get the bees back to full health. It's not easy. Viruses, mites, chemicals and loss of habitat - plus apathy on our behalf - mean the road is a tough one.
   
   But I think governments will start to take the problem seriously when food prices start rising and people start complaining!!

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      cat on a soapboxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you.
      I agree that the topic of reduced bee populations will soon be at the forefront of global food & agriculture conferences. We can each make a difference by planting bee attracting plants and only using pesticides/ fungicides when needed

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3. 75

   Janis Goadposted 10 years ago

   I am very concerned!
   
   I have expanded my front garden to replace a large part of my lawn with bee plants including lavenders, mint, monarda (bee balm), echinacea, and sunflowers, and have noticed many bees of several varieties around the flowers.  The hummingbirds also love the monarda.  I planted several plants of each species in various places in the garden, and they are all very busy with bees and birds and butterflies.  My peaches flowered for the first time this season (it's a new tree) and I had 16 peaches.  Now the sunflowers have gone to seed (late August) and the birds have found the seeds and are eating them.  I am leaving the seeds all winter and plan to let the birds enjoy them.
   
   There is a virus that is destroying bee colonies, but also extensive use of pesticides is a danger for the bees.  However, the biggest factor is loss of habitat.  Even in city gardens, homeowners can make a difference by creating refuges on our own property.

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      cat on a soapboxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Janis,
      I just LOVE to hear this!! I agree that planting even a few bee attracting plants would help tremendously. Whether in pots or the ground, it would be beneficial to restoring habitat.  Thanks for the thoughtful comments!
      My best,
      Cat

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