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Garden Gate:  Our disappearing honeybees  |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
 Posted - May 16 2005 : 05:19:45 AM
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This morning's paper held an article that was deeply disturbing.
Honeybees and their hives across the nation are being wiped out by a mite (called the varroa mite) that is a parasite on the bee. It feeds on their blood and can wipe out hives in one season, especially during the winter months when honeybees are not as strong.
They are totally resistant to any disease control known to date. The article said we will all see a drastic reduction in fruits and veggies that require cross pollination such as watermelon, cucumber, avocadoes and zuchinni just to name a few.
Even honey production will suffer greatly. This is so scary. This mite came into the US from Southeast Asia.
jpbluesky
O, cease to heed the glamour that blinds your foolish eyes,
Look upward to the glitter of stars in God's clear skies.
from God's Garden by Robert Frost |
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MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2005 : 05:23:31 AM
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I used to see honeybees everywhere in my flower gardens ten years ago. I loved working beside them in harmony and now they are gone...Has anyone noticed at the store how expensive honey is now? This is very scarey indeed. When the balance of nature is disturbed it can be a disaster!
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2005 : 05:53:35 AM
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We have been experiencing this in the east for maybe the past 5-10 years. Our friend who keeps bees went through invasions of some agressive european bee that diminished his hives, then the infestation of brud(?)disease which in his case he had to burn everything and start again, and now these mites. As a beekeeper for the last 50 years he remains undaunted, I admire his tenacity. We also try to educate the kids about what is a "good" bee so when they do see one they aren't inclined to swat it. It's amazing how many adults don't know the difference either. I know alot of the commercial beekeepers are being overwhelmed with requests they can't fill for spring. I think our local honey man lost half of a hive over the winter but he thought it was due more to eratic weather patterns than disease.The impact one small creature makes can be catastrophic on a global scale if remaining unchecked. Very scary indeed.
with a happy heart |
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LeslieAnne
True Blue Farmgirl
71 Posts
LeslieAnne
Shallowater
Texas
USA
71 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2005 : 08:39:30 AM
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The European honeybees are the good guys... it's the Africanized honeybees, also known as killer bees, that raise havoc... but back to the original topic, yes, I've heard that these mites are really becoming a widespread problem... I just hope that our native bees, such as the orchard mason bee, which so far aren't affected by mites (as far as I know), are numerous enough to keep the plant kingdom pollinated if indeed the honeybee disappears (God forbid)..
LeslieAnne...westTexas |
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Garden Gate: Our disappearing honeybees |
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Our disappearing honeybees
