God created creatures and endowed them with the ability to adapt and evolve with their surroundings and the environment to ensure their survival and prevent extinction. One of these remarkable creatures is “the bee”, a tiny insect whose importance is often underestimated by most people. In addition to providing us with one of the most essential foods on Earth, “Honey”, bees are also the champion pollinators for plants and trees that supply us with food, fibers, and even medicines!
What many people do not know is that the permanence of the human race on planet Earth is closely connected to the well-being and the preservation of bees!
Today, the world is sounding the alarms, as beekeepers in the United States report in 2022, losing and replacing over 40% of their bees annually. This is happening despite all attempts to mitigate this dangerous phenomenon. Moreover, this issue is not limited to the United States alone; it is now a global concern affecting all countries.
A closer analysis of statistics reveals that the challenges facing beekeeping and honey production go beyond economic factors. Bees themselves face existential threats that could lead to their extinction. This is evident in what is now known as “Colony Collapse Disorder” (CCD)!
When Bees are in danger, the world is in danger!
Save the bees… Save the world!
There is no doubt about the significance of bees to humanity on multiple levels: as a source of food, medicine, and even the survival of human life on the planet.
The world loses approximately 50% of bee colonies each year, witnessing one of the most perilous phenomena known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).
At Barari, we conducted comprehensive research to investigate the factors that may contribute to the spread of this alarming phenomenon.
- Varroa Mites
Varroa mites, also known as Varroa destructors, are small reddish parasitic mites that invade bee colonies, weaken them significantly, and spread numerous viruses that ultimately lead to the complete destruction of the colony. It is well-known that Varroa mites particularly target weak bee colonies that are unable to resist diseases and pests!
- Monoculture Farming and Pesticide Use
Monoculture farming is widely practiced around the world, leading to a reduction in floral diversity and consequently limiting the bee’s sources of nectar. Studies indicate that bees that feed on pollen from multiple plant species have a healthier immune system compared to bees that rely on a single type of diet.
Monoculture farming is closely associated with the use of chemical pesticides. Studies suggest that chemicals like neonicotinoid pesticides, widely used as seed treatments, can end up in plant nectar and pollen, affecting the bees’ growth and behavior. Research also links neonicotinoids, such as Imidacloprid, to harmful effects that align with the symptoms observed in Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).
- Poor Bee Nutrition
Beekeepers bear the responsibility of ensuring the continuity and development of their bee colonies by allowing bees to feed on their natural food sources. Studies have shown that when bees do not consume their usual natural food sources, they suffer from nutritional stress. “Unusual stress” has been observed in colonies affected by CCD, often attributed to poor nutrition and drought.
The natural diet of bees mainly consists of honey and bee bread (pollen mixed with honey). However, commercial practices involve harvesting all the honey, leaving nothing for the bees. Pollen traps are also used to collect pollen from the bees, which is then sold as a separate commercial product. This deprives bees of their natural food sources. Some beekeepers attempt to compensate for this by feeding bees sugar syrup supplemented with enzymes, thinking it can replace their natural diet. However, poor bee nutrition weakens them, makes them more susceptible to diseases and pests, and damages their immune system, possibly leading to colony collapse.
- Pollution
What harms you, harms the bees!
Bees are the most vital pollinators in agriculture but face significant challenges due to industrial pollution encroaching on their habitats. These pollutants, including chemicals and air pollution, have severe adverse effects on bee health, threatening their survival. The spread of industrial pollutants disrupts the ecological balance, making it difficult for bees to adapt to such unhealthy conditions, potentially leading to their death and colony collapse.
- Forcing Bees to Forage in Cold Weather
Bees are cold-blooded creatures that rely on external warmth for their flight and body temperature regulation. The ideal temperature for bees to forage for food is around 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (12 to 29 degrees Celsius). Bees generally become less active and may not forage for food when temperatures drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius). Bees depend on flight muscles to generate heat and maintain their body temperature. In colder temperatures, flight muscles may not warm up adequately, resulting in reduced flying capacity. This limits their ability to search for food and return to the hive.
In extremely cold temperatures, bees may consume a large amount of energy solely for heating purposes, leading to exhaustion of their energy reserves. Bees may linger in cold temperatures for extended periods, making them more susceptible to mortality, as they can become too cold to return to the hive. They might suffer frostbite or freezing, damaging their tissues and resulting in death.
For purely commercial purposes, some agricultural companies and farmers force bees to forage during cold winter seasons, like in the almond farms in California, USA. It’s estimated that nearly 2 million honey bee colonies are brought to California each year to pollinate almond crops, leading to the death of over 20 billion bees annually!
- Type of the Beehive
This is a subject of great debate. Industrial beehives do not serve the bees’ best interests, as they fail to provide all their needs, such as safety, proper moisture levels, and temperature control. We have dedicated a separate section in our research to discuss the differences between modern artificial beehives and traditional natural beehives. Please refer to “Beekeeping throughout time… is it really improving?”
We at “Barari” believe, as do many researchers and experts, that Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is a result of multiple factors, not just one direct cause. We have mentioned some of these factors in our research, and further studies may reveal more contributing factors. However, it is certain that all these factors are negative and result from human mismanagement.
Unfortunately, bees are bred primarily for commercial purposes, regardless of their well-being. The collapse of bee colonies will have severe consequences in many vital sectors, including honey production, which directly benefits beekeepers themselves.
We firmly believe that a comprehensive review of all aspects related to beekeeping and honey production is necessary. This review should lead to well-informed decisions that not only save the bees but also save us, humans. An effective implementation mechanism must be established to ensure that these decisions are not just words on paper.
Sustainability in this critical and crucial sector must be considered, taking into account all factors and prioritizing the interests of the bees. Continuing with the current approach has led and will continue to lead to Colony Collapse Disorder. These potential consequences must be avoided.
Save the Bees… Save the World!