Collapsing Colonies: Four ‘P’s are to blame for bee deaths

Bee colonies are collapsing nationwide, leaving beekeepers with few answers.

Leaders at Project Apis M say bee deaths usually fit into our ‘P’ categories.

” That’s parasites: we know that there’s a mite that is killing bees, and it’s been a problem now and a primary management problem for beekeepers for decades. That mite feeds on the blood of bees and acts like a dirty needle spreading viruses, and those viruses are becoming increasingly detrimental,” Danielle Downey tells aginfo.net.

Pesticides and poor nutrition are the last two. Downey says her research over the last couple of weeks shows 41 percent of the nation’s bees died over the winter.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Supplemental Disaster Relief Program Stage Two will disburse around $16 billion, approved by Congress last year. Sign-ups begin Monday, and producers have until April to return applications.
An outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) first appeared after livestock events in Texas and Arizona, and some horses have already died.
Removing the 40% duty sharply lowers U.S. beef import costs on beef, coffee, fertilizer and fruit, and restores Brazil’s competitiveness during a period of tight domestic supply.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer explains the USDA’s Stage Two Supplemental Disaster Relief Program, including application details, deadlines, and guidance for rural producers.