Colony Crash

3/16/2019

Aside from being cute and delivering us with delicious honey, bees are first and foremost pollinators. In fact, wild honey bees account for 80% of pollinators worldwide. Without them, many plant species would find it very difficult to survive and probably go extinct. Next time you eat a vegetable or fruit, thank the bees for it. Typically, a beehive or colony will decline by 5-10 percent over the winter and replace those lost bees in the spring. In a bad year, a bee colony might lose 15-20 percent of its bees. In the US those rates are up to 30-50 percent. Scientists have found that there are many contributing factors to the crash in colonies which include but are not limited to pesticides, pollution, and deforestation. These three factors are things that as a society, we can stand against.

Are the bees worth saving? The jar of honey and fruits and vegetables in my fridge tell me yes. What are some small steps that we could take to help the colonies?

42 Comments

Katherine

3/17/2019 10:10:48 am

One of the simplest steps is to provide bee friendly plants. They tend to like flowers that are blue purple or yellow. Yellow jackets, wasps, and hornets aren't attracted to these so they won't dominate in that environment. Another simple step is to provide a shelter for them. The wood-nesting bees can reside in a black of wood with holes in it.

Rachel

3/17/2019 04:25:40 pm

Why do you think bees like blue, purple, and yellow flowers the best? Will they go to other colored ones? It probably is some sort of inherent survival thing though if hornets and yellow jackets like different kinds. Less competition makes it easier for the bees to pollinate. Do think that putting up shelters and planting more of these flowers would be enough to solve the problem? I think it would help but I also think that we need to be aware of our pollution and recognize the effect that the harmful pesticides are having on bees as well.

Katarina

3/17/2019 06:18:48 pm

That's smart. That way people can't complain about the "meaner" bees.

Kenna

3/17/2019 07:28:55 pm

I did not know bees are attracted to blue, purple, and yellow flowers. Having more woods would benefit more than just the bees too.

Sariah

3/17/2019 01:38:20 pm

It is sad to hear that the life of bees are struggling. This actually made me think of the “Bee Movie” where they started protecting bees completely and we no longer could use their honey. This lead to the bees stopping workin because they had all the honey they needed and could just rest. This lead to them stopping pollinating which lead to all of the plants dying. This was obviously a warning for if we took a step towards that direction. So we need to make sure, when considering different steps to help this matter that we do not take too drastic of a step. This movie also showed us how important bees are and there does need to be something to decrease those percentages back to where they were. All three of those steps are important and one of them we can help with ourselves, pollution.

Rachel

3/17/2019 04:22:18 pm

That is a really good connection, I have not seen that movie in a long time but it was obviously made containing some sort of warning to the public about the risk of losing bees. Bees are crucial to the agricultural industry and the movie explains, and probably dramatizes the consequences if the bees were to stop working, or go extinct. Obviously we need them so how do we control our pollution in order to better protect them?

Katarina

3/17/2019 06:20:04 pm

I agree. Maybe if we made everyone in the world watch a the "Bee Movie" they would understand. Or hollywood could make a 2019 version of it.

Kenna

3/17/2019 07:31:51 pm

Bees are very important as the movie would suggest. They do need to be protected but I would like to continue eating honey.

Saylor

3/17/2019 07:32:20 pm

Kat makes a good point. The people in society would understand, and enjoy a 2019 version of the "Bee Movie" which would help with this issue. I would gladly watch it. You make some great points as well.

Rachel

3/17/2019 04:19:12 pm

The decline of bee populations is a real and serious problem. Since the late 1990's, the population has been decreasing at an alarming rate. The main causes of this devastation are bee-killing pesticides, and the loss of biodiversity due to the increase in monoculture farming. Growing only one plant at a time on a plot of land may be more economically friendly, but it is harmful to the bee populations because they have to travel farther to find plants to pollinate. Without bees, the future of the agricultural industry would be in trouble but nothing is going to change unless people decide to "bee" more conscientious of the effects that their farming practices and pesticides are having on the population of pollinators. As a society I think we need to ban harmful pesticides and explore new ways of farming that are bee friendly and economically friendly.

Sariah

3/17/2019 06:08:24 pm

I agree, it would only make sense that we would want to fix this especially since it has been happening for quite a few years now. I wonder if we are working on anything now? Do you have any ideas of how to change this? Or alternatives to using pesticides on plants? I know there are plants you can plant in the same area as certain crops and those plants attract bugs so maybe that could be an alternative people use.

Kelsey

3/17/2019 07:04:30 pm

Yes, I completely agree. Mono-cultures are so ancient! We have all the technology and information to understand that they are unsustainable and will eventually be part of the source of our demise. I am so on board to ban harmful pesticides - like Rachel Carson did through the publication of Silent Spring.

Brooke

3/17/2019 07:41:29 pm

I agree--getting bigger and faster growing crops is not worth the decline of these amazing natural pollinators. Bees have been here far longer than we have, and they deserve to stay.

Conrad

3/17/2019 07:53:26 pm

This brings in the GMO Problem. Those plants can take more pesticides, which in turn affect everything else living, whether intended too or not. I think there is simply too many people in this world to fix things they way they should be fixed.

Katarina

3/17/2019 06:18:04 pm

Bees are definitely worth saving. Humans are ruining lots of things if we are being honest. Some aren't and are doing what they can to save the environment and others take the side of "I'll be gone so it doesn't matter". Although I don't agree with all of the nature preservation things I do agree with some. Deforestation is a problem. Part of the reason it is a problem is because governments are allowing people to log in places they shouldn't and won't let them in places it wouldn't matter. The other problem I think that is happening is over population. Companies are building houses and business where farm land, forests, etc used to be. Humans are taking over with industrialization and we apparently can't stop.

Sariah

3/17/2019 07:27:46 pm

Oh my gosh we actually had someone say, “I’ll be gone so it doesn’t matter” the other day. It is so true that people get that mind set and really do not understand what is happening. How do you think we could deal with over population?

Saylor

3/17/2019 07:33:38 pm

Yes Let's all become bee farmers. We could help save the delicious treat of honey! Besides that, I agree the bees should be saved.

Brooke

3/17/2019 10:02:52 pm

Sariah I know exactly who you are talking about 😂🙄

Katherine

3/17/2019 07:35:23 pm

Deforestation is really an issue. Whether it’s for the wood or for houses and commercial development. Those are issues that are destroying the bees and their habitats. We need to have certain limits on where we can and can’t build to prevent that.

Conrad

3/17/2019 07:51:18 pm

The "I'll be gone and all" is a huge problem. People need to realize that if they don't care, then your children and their children will suffer the consequences. If people could care more about what will happen, things wont be so bad.

Kenna

3/17/2019 06:50:06 pm

The bees are worth saving. They give us delicious honey and polipolli our plants. Without them we would not have many of the fruits and vegetables that we eat. Save the bees guys, become a bee farmer.

Kelsey

3/17/2019 07:00:54 pm

I actually plan to have a bee farm one day. Just an FYI, Boise state has a bee club. They actually have a bee farm that they all take care of. You should join it this fall!

Mckinlee

3/17/2019 07:42:33 pm

I love that you’re going to have a bee farm Kels! What all does the Bee Club consist of? Is it just the farm?

Kelsey

3/17/2019 06:58:21 pm

Bees hold a special place in my heart. They are truly an unsung hero among our ecosystem, without them our environment would not hold up for long. Bees are a tough species, yet there are some basic needs that are essential to their survival. First, they need water near by to cool the hive and uncrystallize their honey. Second, they need peace from disturbance, sound pollution, and light pollution to feel safe enough to carry out their duties. Third, they need a close source, preferably many sources, of nectar and pollen. Lastly, they need consistent climate patterns, especially warm summers. All of these needs are being violated by humans - we are experiencing more droughts from global warming; we have a way of spreading everywhere leaving very few places in peace and undisturbed; we are lacking in biodiversity from deforestation and unsustainable agricultural practices; and, because of our endless violations against the environment global warming is severely messing with our climate patterns which throws the bee cycle off. Sure, it would be great to, you know, fix global warming, eliminate pollution, magically make more water, and keep people out of nature... But, a way to contribute in a more bite-size way is to plant more bee plants, back-off from pesticides, rotate our crops, and participate in citizen science projects! Last summer I participated in a citizen science project collecting data on bee populations in our neck of the woods. This information is really useful to real scientists to assess population decline severity and hypothesize the best course of action in revamping our bee populations. Get involved!

Brooke

3/17/2019 07:35:58 pm

SAVE THE BEES. I really don't understand why more people are not aware of the danger we put them in. I hope we will become more active about helping before it is too late.

Mckinlee

3/17/2019 07:44:50 pm

What kind of plants are the best for bees? What all did your citizen science project encompass and how can we join? (i.e. who would we contact to find more information?)

Jazz

3/17/2019 07:56:16 pm

Do you think that one reason why so many people don’t care about the bees could be that they don’t fully understand what bees do for us? How can people educate themselves about bees?

Sadie

3/17/2019 08:01:41 pm

I agree. We need to plant more bee colonies. We provide a safe environment, and they will do all the work.

Brooke

3/17/2019 07:34:04 pm

Bees are the real MVP of the world. They do so much for the planet without any sort of reward. Without them, the environment would be so drastically different and unsavory. Bees truly need more awareness and protection. My brother actually owns a beekeeping 'farm,' where he gives them a home and they, in turn, give him leftover honey and pollinate the fruit trees. It's a win win. Everyone needs to be friends with the bees, and learn the difference between them and the completely unnecessary lookalikes: the wasps.

Katherin

3/17/2019 07:38:19 pm

My old neighbors had an orchard and bee boxes. They let the old orchard go but the bees are still there and they pollinate my brothers trees since they’re closest. I used to hate bees but I love them now

Jesse B.

3/17/2019 07:57:04 pm

I enjoy your introduction because bees really should get an award of some kind. That is very interesting that your brother runs a large bee farm. Has he noticed the drop in population over the last few years? Also, I completely agree with you in that everybody needs to know about the bees and how we could help them.

Jazz

3/17/2019 07:58:07 pm

I have heard from a few people on Facebook— reliable source, I know— that beekeeping farms could be doing more harm than good. What would you say to these people?

Brooke

3/17/2019 10:06:43 pm

There are certainly beekeepers who are doing more harm than good; those few keep bees solely for the production of honey, regardless of treatment. Luckily those farms are becoming fewer, and the types of farms who offer only shelter and benefits are becoming more numerous. These farms allow bees to keep their hard earned honey, and only gather the leftovers that could be harmful to the rest of the hive if left unchecked.

Saylor

3/17/2019 07:35:43 pm

The bees should be saved.I couldn't live without honey. It is a natural way to sweet foods and drinks. Save the bees no matter what. I would gladly watch a new version of the "Bee Movie" that is a classic that I enjoy.

Mckinlee

3/17/2019 07:39:06 pm

Bees are essential to our existence. Losing bees completely would cause a complete mess and out environment would be so utterly wrecked that we’d just die. Bees are precious. Humans have messed with the ecosystem so much that it’s impossible for them to continue like this. We need to change our ways. Sure there are bee farms but those are mainly to collect honey, we need to change it so the bees can live in the natural world. Bee farms aren’t harmful (not what I’m saying at all) and do help keep them alive but it’s important for us to make sure they can live in their natural environment uninhibited by humans. Save the bees, plant some trees, and clean the seas. It’s time we take care of Earth and try to undo the mistakes we have made.

Jesse B.

3/17/2019 07:52:42 pm

From what I know, I would see that if the bees failed and died, so would we. I agree that something needs to change, but I am unclear on what you want to do exactly. Do you want to promote natural living space for bees? If so, that sounds like a great plan.

Mckinlee

3/17/2019 08:29:59 pm

Definitely promoting natural space for bees but I’m not demoting bee farms. Just saying that while bee farms are great we really need to make the bees natural space larger if possible and keep it unharmed.

Sadie

3/17/2019 07:59:28 pm

Some places in or around cities are beyond repair right now. We need to take advantage of the natural countryside we have right now.

Conrad

3/17/2019 07:49:10 pm

Besides just the honey argument of why bee's should be saved, There are many other things to look at. There has yet to be a pollination method discovered that is as efficient as bees. What that means is that should bees disappear, we will lose many of our fruits and vegetables. They are a necessary part of human life in the agricultural sense.

Jesse B.

3/17/2019 07:49:23 pm

For the environment, as well as for humanity, I see that bees are incredibly important. Though I might not know too much about this subject, I do know the significance of bees on our lives, such as they pollinate many different kinds plants. So, I am all for saving the bees, but I have not been informed of many ways in how to help the bees. One measure that could be taken would be to educate the US population (including me) on what is happening to the bees and how we can help. This would allow for more people to help and to fix the problem.

Jazz

3/17/2019 07:55:04 pm

Bees are incredible all the way around. Without these cute little guys there would be no fruit, vegetables or nuts. Bees are the number one pollinator on this planet, and there hasn’t been another one as efficient made by man. Because of humans and how much we have screwed up our planet’s ecosystem, the beautiful bees most likely won’t be around for long. Some ways to fix this issue could be to teach people just how important the bees are and grow more bee friendly plants.

Sadie

3/17/2019 07:57:05 pm

Honey is my favorite sweetener ever. It's amazing taste is a great alternative to granulated sugar. We actually have several bee keepers in the Salmon Valley, but it's not nearly enough for our human population consumers. I think we should have more of that kind of "free range" bee system. This would help keep their numbers up and they could possibly spread out more by themselves. We need more environment protection too. Once that is established, we could start planting colonies around in certain places. It would only work if they could truly thrive in those places. Any amount of pollution would ruin that. Protect the environment. ✌

Colony Crash

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