? on bees/food/pollination

[Terrex]

I realize that growers need bees to pollinate their crops. I need them for the garden.   I also understand that lots of beekeepers send their hives (rent) out,  but what I do not understand is this.  I was just told that bees do not get their own food from lots of these crops, like almonds and watermelons and such.   So what/why does the bees get for doing this task if it does not benefit them at all.  Does the bee keeper have to feed their bees while they are being rented out? That seems wrong.
For being new at this, I am a little on the stupid side.  But in my mind, I want everything to be for the bees.  How are the bees going to build and expand their own colony.  Just does not seem to be good information.

Teresa

[hankdog1]

It's all about making the $$$$.  If your a commercial pollinator it's how you put food in the mouths of your family.  Yes alot of times beekeepers doing pollination have to feed before and after they are put on a crop.  I know it sounds mean and hurtfull to the bees but if someone doesn't do it you'll see food prices sky rocket on certain things.

[Finski]

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We really need "free the bees movement"

[hankdog1]

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We really need "free the bees movement"

We gotta organise first and form a special interest committee.  Then we need a fat cash cow to support the cause.  Any ideas on who is sympathetic to the plight of the enslaved bees?   :-D

[Finski]

Yes, want to support a good issue, call a number and donate for homeles bees.

In England they are collecting money for bumbble bees. They are going to throw meadown plant seeds into nature to get flowers to bumbbles.  lets bet that money collection costs are 90% of donations.

[Kathyp]

We really need "free the bees movement"

[hankdog1]

Well you know the bumble bees need people to structure the money flow for seeds and homes.  These people aren't gonna do it for free and since it's probably a government run thing 90% sounds fair i would think the US government could find a way to funnel 99.9% of it away so over in England they are amatures.   :evil:

[Michael Bush]

There is nothing blooming when the almonds bloom and the bees are anxious to get pollen.  So they will work the almonds to get the pollen.

[Finski]

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We have in May a 3 weeks  period that bees get only willow pollen, - if weathers permit.
Willows' pollen have only 15% raw protein.

[Terrex]

There is nothing blooming when the almonds bloom and the bees are anxious to get pollen.  So they will work the almonds to get the pollen.

Thanks, so the bee ARE getting something...I guess my question mislead people.

Teresa