The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) are running a campaign to lobby government to consider the environment while it reviews expenditure plans. There is no doubt that a healthy environment will benefit honey bees more than an unheathy one.
If you wish to support their campaign and sign the letter electronically you can do so on this page of their website.
With the current downturn in the weather, we have come across some instances of starvation where nucs have failed to build up enough stores, or honey has been taken off and insufficient left behind. This situation can arise with the the unwary so it’s worth checking, especially if the bees do not have access to Himalayan Balsam or Heather.
This report produced as part of the US investigation of Colony Collapse Disorder identifies that multiple pesticicides including fungicides exist in wax and pollen. Pollen being especially significant because it is brood food. The discussion raises concerns about the potential interaction of several pesticides in the same colony.
Also mentioned is that miticide residues in wax have contributed to the development of resistant mites – the result of mites developing in cells containing sublethal doses of miticide.
Recent declines in honey bees for crop pollination threaten fruit, nut, vegetable and seed production in the United States. A broad survey of pesticide residues was conducted on samples from migratory and other beekeepers across 23 states, one Canadian province and several agricultural cropping systems during the 2007–08 growing seasons.
The 98 pesticides and metabolites detected in mixtures up to 214 ppm in bee pollen alone represents a remarkably high level for toxicants in the brood and adult food of this primary pollinator. This represents over half of the maximum individual pesticide incidences ever reported for apiaries. While exposure to many of these neurotoxicants elicits acute and sublethal reductions in honey bee fitness, the effects of these materials in combinations and their direct association with CCD or declining bee health remains to be determined.”
Read the full and detailed American Report on Pesticides and Bees.
The signs of spring are appearing and the bees are now finding a few days when the temperature is high enough for them to make cleansing and foraging flights. There is some pollen about but not much nectar. If they have survived so far, check that they have enough stores to finish the winter. A slow feed of a weak syrup can be given to supplement their stores and to stimulate the queen into laying.
To make a weak mixture, mix sugar and water in the ratio of 1 to: 1.25 by weight – for example 4 kg of sugar to 5 kg (5 litres) of water. Feed a small quality at a time with a contact feeder. The access to the syrup can be restricted by covering some of the holes in the feeder mesh to prevent the bees taking the syrup too quickly.
‘The ‘Vanishing of the Bees‘ will be shown at the National Trust Stackpole Centre on Wednesday Feb 17th 7.30pm (running time 96 minutes) Free Entry. More info: Mike May 01646 661618.
In the UK around one fifth of honeybee hives were lost in the winter of 2008/09. Bees pollinate a third of the food we eat, and this contributes £200million a year to the UK economy. Vanishing of the Bees explores the mysterious collapse of the bee population across the planet and its greater meaning about mankind’s relationship with the natural world. In addition to studying our reliance on the honeybee as the cornerstone of modern agriculture, the documentary celebrates the ancient relationship between humans and bees. Filmmakers George Langworthy and Maryam Henein comment, “We were drawn to make this documentary because it encapsulates grand issues about our ecology, agriculture, economy and politics in a mystery about the amazing little honey bee. Having started production right as the story broke, we’ve been allowed an in depth and chronicled look at the lives and hearts of our characters.”
Pembrokeshire Beekeepers' Association 