28 percent of US bees wiped out this winter — suggesting bigger environmental issues

[kadaholo]

Source: RAW STORY by Oliver Milman of THE GUARDIAN

More than half of beekeepers suffered unsustainable losses, with deadly mite infestations and harmful land management practices heaping mounting pressure.

More than a quarter of American honeybee colonies were wiped out over the winter, with deadly infestations of mites and harmful land management practices heaping mounting pressure upon the crucial pollinators and the businesses that keep them. Preliminary figures commissioned by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) show that 28% of bee colonies in the United States were lost over the 2015-16 winter. More than half of surveyed beekeepers said they suffered unsustainable losses during the winter.

Over the year, from April 2015 to March 2016, beekeepers lost 44% of their colonies – the highest annual loss on record. Until six years ago annual figures weren’t kept as it was assumed colony losses were only suffered during winter, but similar declines are now occurring year-round.

“It’s very troubling and what really concerns me that we are losing colonies in summer too, when bees should be doing so well,” said Dennis vanEngelsdorp, a University of Maryland bee scientist and survey leader. “This suggests there is something more going on – bees may be the canary in the coal mine of bigger environmental problems."

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/2016/05/28-percent-of-us-bees-wiped-out-this-winter-suggesting-bigger-environmental-issues/

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[MFM008]

1. MONSANTO

R O U N D U P.

My son works at a Lawn and Garden store.
Says Roundup is so toxic he advises people against using it.
He used it around the house once, we ended up with dead bees, bugs, and nests of baby birds.
DONT USE IT.

[houston16revival]

2. I did use it one year

it killed weeds

But the next year, the weeds grew back in bulk

it's like the roots survived, and each root fragment regrew

does the phosphate portion break down into a fertilizer?

that way we have to use more and more of it to kill the weeds

[certainot]

6. i usually pull them but tried some enhanced vinegar - used as a fertilizer for

reducing acidity. it's got molasses of something and the leaves die, especially fast in the sun.

some seem to die completely others might need more application.

it's expensive but for like in between pavers where the roots can't be pulled easily it may save enough pulling time to make it worth it.

[PatSeg]

3. How long before the Monsanto

defenders hijack this thread?

[Uncle Joe]

4. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, kadaholo.

[tomm2thumbs]

5. usually see swarms around a yellow flowering tree near the house

a sparse few this year - maybe a dozen - very scary that I even noticed, but this article lends truth to the issue

[certainot]

7. shithead republicans. we had a warm spell early and some came out

then it got cold again.

going to get worse.

need to go on the offensive vs the deniers, including the 90 major universities that endorse 270 limbaugh stations by broadcasting sports on them even though apolitical alternatives are available and if taken seriously their mission statements would demand it.

[Dont call me Shirley]

8. Very troubling. Give monsanto the corporate death penalty before they kill us and

all species on earth

[elljay]

9. Start raising native bees

My mason bees are doing well this year- I have quite a lot of reeds full of cocoons. There are several types of native bees that you can order online to get your community started. They are solitary, so no hives, do not make honey and will not sting unless you really deserve it. All you need to do to keep them happy are put out some reeds or tubes (also available online). They are amazing pollinators and can pick up some of the slack from the poor European honey bees. There is very little work involved and we can all do our share!

http://crownbees.com/