Winter losses of honey bee colonies were high, with 30% of UK colonies and 50% of southwestern UK colonies not surviving the winter. Colony collapse disorder has impacted industrial beekeeping in the US. Fewer than 1% of UK bee colonies are feral, with most being managed by beekeepers. Reasons for honey bee declines include changes in climate and plant seasons due to global warming, parasites like varroa mites which weaken bee immune systems, limited forage from agricultural monocultures and reduced wildflower habitat, and pesticide use including neonicotinoids. However, honey bees have existed for 30 million years, local beekeeping associations are working to support bee health, and bee colonies can
Winter losses of honey bee colonies were high, with 30% of UK colonies and 50% of southwestern UK colonies not surviving the winter. Colony collapse disorder has impacted industrial beekeeping in the US. Fewer than 1% of UK bee colonies are feral, with most being managed by beekeepers. Reasons for honey bee declines include changes in climate and plant seasons due to global warming, parasites like varroa mites which weaken bee immune systems, limited forage from agricultural monocultures and reduced wildflower habitat, and pesticide use including neonicotinoids. However, honey bees have existed for 30 million years, local beekeeping associations are working to support bee health, and bee colonies can
Winter losses of honey bee colonies were high, with 30% of UK colonies and 50% of southwestern UK colonies not surviving the winter. Colony collapse disorder has impacted industrial beekeeping in the US. Fewer than 1% of UK bee colonies are feral, with most being managed by beekeepers. Reasons for honey bee declines include changes in climate and plant seasons due to global warming, parasites like varroa mites which weaken bee immune systems, limited forage from agricultural monocultures and reduced wildflower habitat, and pesticide use including neonicotinoids. However, honey bees have existed for 30 million years, local beekeeping associations are working to support bee health, and bee colonies can
The Plight of The Honey Bee Nigel Hurst www.bathbeekeepers.com (c) 2013 2 State of the Nation Winter Losses 30% of colonies in the UK did not survive the Winter/early Spring 30,000 colonies, 20,000 bees in a winter colony - 650 million bees lost Here in the South-West it was actually 50% reported loss Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) Not a UK phenomenon. Industrial scale beekeeping in the US Feral Colonies Very few colonies in the UK that aren't managed by beekeepers Estimates say only about 1% of colonies are Feral www.bathbeekeepers.com (c) 2013 3 Reasons for Decline Climate Bees do not fly in the wet or at less than 10 C No flights no nectar for food, no pollen for brood rearing Plant seasons Parasites/Disease Varroa Parasite Lowers immune system Forage Agricultural Desert Monoculture - Unsuitable crop Less wildflower habitat Pesticides Neonicotinoids Organophosphates www.bathbeekeepers.com (c) 2013 4 The Common Factor Climate - Global Warming Parasites/Disease - Bee Imports Forage - Modern farming - Population growth Pesticides - Increased Yield www.bathbeekeepers.com (c) 2013 5 Not All Gloom & Doom 30 Million Years Bath Beekeepers Very healthy association 180+ members 650+ hives Come & visit in the Spring Colony Increase & Recovery Colony Splits Swarming