Disapearing Bees!!

[Gware]

There is an article on Earth files that is interesting. It states that on the West Coast Honey bee losses are about 32% average with some losses up to 60%. That the loss is worse than last year. This is troubling. Also it states that Farmers my get bees from Mexico to met the needs, which probably would be Africanized Honeybees brought in.

[Brian D. Bray]

There is an article on Earth files that is interesting. It states that on the West Coast Honey bee losses are about 32% average with some losses up to 60%. That the loss is worse than last year. This is troubling. Also it states that Farmers my get bees from Mexico to met the needs, which probably would be Africanized Honeybees brought in.

The loss in the PNW, except in isolated spots (Dane--archangel honey), was due to a second winter that started in late March and went until mid-May.  We were having snow down to 2000 foot level as late as May 5th and night time temps below freezing.  Needless to say the spring build up of hives that had started in late February tanked and the bees abandoned enlarged brood nest and went back into cluster.  The cold spell lasted long enough cause a lot of hives to starve--we couldn't even get into the hives to feed in may cases.  2 professional beeks I race pigeons with lost 25-30% of their hives.  I lost 3 of 5.  Other hobbyist lost similar numbers.   

In California the bee loss is due to drought and forest fires. 

You're right about bringing in bees from Mexico, they don't have the same AHB regulations we do and if farmers resort to bringing in Mexican bees for pollination and they get moved about the same as most US beeks do, then the spread of AHB will be accelerated.

[KONASDAD]

Before mexican bees re brought in, I would expect more beeks from around country to start going to california. the biggest beek in NJ sent 3,000 hives from Florida to california. He contracted $145/hive. His bees were so healthy, the farmer upped the amount to $160/hive if he promised to bring in 4,000 next year.