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.

Related Stories
Water system ideas for your farm or property... freeze-proof in winter! Come along with the Stoney Ridge Farmer as we work together to install frost-free water tanks and more!
Did you know that eight states raise nearly 77% of the U.S. turkey supply? It’s impressive. But when it comes to the impacts of High-Path Avian Flu on commercial turkey flocks — it also means those same states, in most cases, will bear the brunt of lost production value due to the virus.
Alaskan wildlife officials canceled the 2022-23 Bering Sea Snow Crab season for the first time ever. The Bristol Bay King Crab season is also canceled for the second consecutive year.