What Will Happen If Bees Are No More?

[Crocus]

This is the question in an article I read about the fact if bees die out.
According to UNEP, famine will be a major global problem if we don't adapt our way of life to prevent the collapse of bee colonies. Already there's a collapse of bee colonies in different parts of the world, especially because of air pollution.

Of the 100 plants which make out 90% of our food, 70% are pollinated by bees. Less flower plants because of habitat being destroyed, other pests not being controlled as well as air pollution are some of the factors which can cause the collapse of the world's bee population. There are plights for the planting of more flowers, especially next to wheat and corn fields to try and get the bees back, doing what bees do, that of pollination. Of course environment friendly insecticides etc. should also be used as far as possible.
UNEP also stated that bees are a natural asset which are mistreated by humans because of the excessive use of pesticides and other forms of air pollution.

This article also mentions that people are under the illusion that 21st century progress regarding technology make them independent on nature, but that bees actually emphasise the reality that we are actually more dependent on nature than we believe.

It's rather worrying to think what could happen should our bees die out because of us! X

[Rustic Pumpkin]

the whole situation is quite frightening, I have been reading on this subject for a few years; as with many other things, I fear that we will not take it seriously until it is too late to reverse.

[Ivy]

no more honey:eek:. On a more serious note: there are other insects able to pollinate like bumble bees butterflies and certain sorts of wasps but they do not do it as effectively as bees. And maybe they are at risk too, I don't know So everybody who has the means to do so should keep or adopt bees I suppose ( will find out if the latter is possible)

[Crocus]

Fortunately we have a lot of beehives in the area and the bees have a lovely time in our butterfly bushes and roses. x

[Rustic Pumpkin]

we had hardly any local honey last year, and what we did have was horrendously expensive, all due to a disease carried by mites from hive to hive. Unfortunately, pollination is a very specific event and although butterflies and other insects do pollinate, they do not pollinate the right things like food crops to the level we demand.

I found bumble bees absolutely covered in mites last year while on the coast path, took photos and sent them for identification. it was a horrible sight to see, the body covered in tiny bugs, poor bee underneath them all didn't stand a chance.

[cindy]

I have had a bee log in the garden for a couple of years but the only insects that live in it are spiders. We do get lots of bees though and as it is a bit warmer I have noticed some bumble bees flying around

[Ivy]

Actually you can adopt bees from the Britsh Bee-keeper association. I have just adopted some bees from a German ecological Bee keeping organisation called BeeGood. They use older and less stressful (for the bee) methods of keeping bees and claim that the bees are therefore more resilient and less prone to diseases.
Thank you Crocus for bringing up the topic.

[Crocus]

One tends to forget how very important bees are. It's not before one becomes aware of articles like this that one realises the importance of a humble bee. Should bees disappear, the whole balance of things will be in jeopardy. It's to awful to contemplate.

[cindy]

You can adopt a hive in UK - http://www.adoptabeehive.co.uk/ It is run by The British Beekeepers Assoc.

[dragonfly]

I've known about this for a couple of years and hope those who can do something about it, get it sorted. It would be devastating to lose the bees and would cause world famine and plants would die out. I have a friend with four hives and I buy honey from her. I would love a hive but don't have room for one. Adopting one sounds like a good idea.

[Crocus]

We also buy honey from an elderly gentlemen about 6 doors down from us and I noticed loads of beehives on our way to a neighbouring town this morning - I hope they are active. X