Bringing Back the Bees

Bees are famous for making honey, but did you know a huge proportion of agriculture is dependent on them as well? Honey bees are responsible for pollinating over 3.5 million acres of U.S. crops annually! Almonds, apricots, citrus fruit, flax, cucumbers, beans, and peppers are just a few of the dozens of crops dependent on these hardworking insects. With a frightening new disorder out there that's wiping out colonies virtually overnight, it's in everyone's best interest to help them as much as possible. Who are the bees, what is killing them, and how can we help them? Let's find out. First, we'll start with mistaken bee identity:

Yellowjackets Vs. Bees

Often, it is the bee that gets blamed for the aggressive yellowjackets that tend to plague us this time of year. The yellowjacket is not a bee at all, but a member of the wasp family. Yellowjackets chew wood pulp to make paper nests. They not only feed on nectar and sweet sugary things like your soda, but will go after other insects to feed their carnivorous larvae. This puts them in the beneficial insect category-the good guys, even if they are nasty little buggers. Master beekeeper Bill Mondjack says they are easy to tell apart if you know what to look for: yellowjackets have a thin abdomen with bright yellow and black stripes, while honey bees have a fat body with golden tan to brown stripes alternating with grey to off-black stripes. Here's a little ditty to help you remember: "yellow and black, watch your snack!"

CCD and IPAV

Colony Collapse Disorder first appeared in November 2006, and is blamed for the deaths of up to 45% of bee colonies in the Mid Altantic Region alone. As of September 2007, a link was discovered between CCD and Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus. They believe the virus was transmitted to the US by importing bees from Australia. It is thought that a colony of bees already weakened by other problems like varroa (a mite that targets honey bees), pesticides and poor nutrition and then exposed to IPAV will develop CCD. The best defense against CCD is a strong, well-fed hive with a good immune system and limited exposure to pesticides. How can we help the bees stay strong?

Don't spray it! Pesticides and chemical fertilizers can leave bees weak (if not dead) and a weak hive is likely to not survive the winter. If you feel that your plants need a little extra nutrient boost, mix some compost in the top layer of soil. Natural pesticides like chili pepper and garlic sprays will be much nicer for bees, not to mention many other beneficial insects that would like to eat your bad bugs.

Slow on the Mow: Clover and dandelion are both important food sources for bees in the spring, when little else is flowering and winter stores are running out. Consider waiting to mow the grass to give the bees time to get a nip to eat. If practical, leaving a patch of your yard untouched for wildflowers and weeds can really boost fall food sources. Goldenrod and snow asters are both vital for stocking up honey to feed the colony throughout the winter. Sue Hubbell, author of "A Book of Bees...and How to Keep Them" claims that when her hives have access to snow aster, they are always strong and able to survive the winter.

Pollen Party: A bee garden is a beautiful way to assist, starting with crocuses and squills in the spring and finishing up with asters in the fall. As an added bonus, butterflies are often attracted to the same plants. The Daily Green has a nice article that lists quite a few. Contact your local county extension office for plants that are guaranteed to grow in your area.