Bees Knees and Lack Thereof

Surprise! We have another big problem going on that many people don't know about, still. Bees. Bees are not the problem, the bees are having a problem (probably caused by our popular lifestyles and comforts that includes the need for pesticides and other poisons) and they need our help.

Starting around 2006-2007 scientists started noticing that bees were experiencing a substantial decline in population. Many scientists are investigating this to attempt to resolve it before we have no more bees. One theory now is what they are calling Colony Collapse Disorder .(click here to read about this on Wikipedia, where I am getting some of my information) CCD is occurring because when the worker bees get sick they leave the hive - they disappear, and die. My home is on the 2nd story of a 4-unit apartment building. At least 4 times a week when I come home there are bees hanging out by my front door either dying or already dead. It really disturbs me because I feel so bad for them. In talking with M about why they are coming clear up to my front door to die, we've hypothesized that the bees leave the hive when they get sick because they don't want to infect the whole colony. They go somewhere unfamiliar to them to die - I think it makes sense that they are choosing "man-made" type places away from nature.

The cause of this is not fully understood, but many believe that it is either a type of insect disease. It could also be environmental changes such as global warming and/or pollution, malnutrition, and pesticides. Another option is D. All of the above.

The loss of honey bees could have an enormous impact on horticulture worldwide. Without bees we won't have fruit or nuts. NO FRUIT OR NUTS! Can you imagine? I really don't want to... it is so sad. About 1/3 of the food we eat as humans comes from pollination- fruits and nuts cannot grow without pollination. It won't only effect just our food sources, what about flowers? I don't want to live in a world without the beautiful, sweet smelling, flowers.

I had a strange experience this morning with a bee, and I'm confessing it because I am still thinking about this bee. I was running late to work (as usual) trying to run to my car in my heels and skirt while carrying to many items, etc. I get in the car and start it - I start to drive away before I realize that there is a bee on my windshield. Ever since I first learned of this tragedy and possible demise of the bees, I'm even more careful about not hurting or killing them. I should have pulled over at that moment and put the bee in the grass at least - but I didn't and oh goodness, do I feel bad. Mr. Bee held on for a long time. Morning traffic in LA never consists of high speeds, so that was probably the easy part for him. I kept watching him and I actually (don't make fun of me) said a little prayer for Mr. Bee. I don't want him to die, and I really really hope he wasn't sick or hurt. He eventually took off from the windshield when I was sitting at a stop light. I hope he made it to safe ground.

The point of my story is, please don't kill bees. I understand you might have wasps and yellow jackets building hives in your yard -- please don't just grab the lighter and some poison and go on a killing spree. What if they are bees?

Walk softly, and if you don't think I've completely lost my mind, help me pray for the bees.

Sat Nam.