As winter arrives and the snow falls, you may notice that the world becomes quieter. As birds fly south, they take their melodies with them. Bears begin their long, peaceful hibernation. And honey bees gather together in their winter clusters. You won’t hear their familiar buzz buzz buzz until spring.

In recent times, some have noticed a decrease in buzzing even during the spring season. Starting in 2006, numerous beekeepers have reported significant losses in bee populations. Some colonies have lost 30-90 percent of their bees. Since then, the rate of colony failure has been between 30 and 40 percent each year.

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is one of the main causes of this phenomenon. When a colony experiences CCD, most of its worker bees disappear. There is still an abundance of food left behind. The queen bee and baby bees are also abandoned. This ultimately leads to the collapse of the entire colony.

What is the cause of CCD? Experts believe there could be several factors contributing to it. They suggest that new diseases and pesticide poisoning may play a role. Changes in the bees’ habitat are another factor. Stress from beekeeping practices, such as relocating the hive, could also be a factor. Additionally, experts believe that bees may leave their colonies due to inadequate nutrition.

However, the greatest threat to bee colonies may be another factor altogether. The Varroa mite is a potential cause of CCD. These mites transmit life-threatening diseases to bees. They spread from one hive to another by attaching themselves to the bees. Today, many experts consider Varroa mites to be the biggest threat to the world’s most important pollinators.

Why are people so concerned about CCD and Varroa mites? The answer is simple: bees play a vital role in providing humans with food. They pollinate the plants that sustain the world’s food supply. In fact, it is estimated that bees contribute to about one-third of the food that people consume.

Efforts to protect the bees have had some impact. Although bee colony losses have continued since 2006, many individuals have become interested and have contributed to the establishment of new bee colonies. In fact, while bee colonies continued to decline in the United States in 2018, the overall number actually increased by one percent due to the creation of numerous new colonies.

Nevertheless, CCD and Varroa mites remain a serious risk. How can people help the bees? One way is by planting flowers. It is especially beneficial to plant flowers that are native to your area. Ideally, bees should have access to flowers throughout the year. Therefore, it is helpful to plant a variety of flowers that bloom in different seasons. Another important step is to use pesticides responsibly.

Many children fear bee stings if they get too close. However, it is important to remember that bees perform a crucial task. Without bees, who would pollinate the plants that produce our food? During your next meal, discuss with your family ways in which you can help the bee population. Every individual can make a difference!

Try It Out

Are you eager to learn more? Explore these activities with a friend or family member!

How to Create a Bee-Friendly Garden

If you want to help the bees, you can create a bee-friendly garden. If you have space near your home or school, ask an adult friend or family member to help you. If not, you can still plan your future garden. Draw a picture of what your garden will look like and think about what you want to include.

Spread the Word

If someone asks you how they can help the bees, create a poster or pamphlet using the information from this article. Don’t forget to include eye-catching pictures to grab the reader’s attention!

Explore Life Inside a Beehive

Did you know that a beehive can be home to up to 50,000 bees? Take a look inside a beehive by checking out these amazing photographs. Imagine what life is like for bees inside the hive and discuss it with a friend or family member.

Sources:

• https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/colony-collapse-disorder (accessed 13 Nov. 2019)
• https://www.britannica.com/science/colony-collapse-disorder (accessed 13 Nov. 2019)
• https://cmsw.mit.edu/angles/2019/saving-our-pollinators-investigating-causes-of-bee-deaths/ (accessed 13 Nov. 2019)
• https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/subject/colony-collapse-disorder (accessed 13 Nov. 2019)
• https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Bee_and_Honey/ (accessed 15 Nov. 2019)
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonentine/2013/04/11/science-collapse-disorder-the-real-story-behind-neonics-and-mass-bee-deaths/#4f0ca4c74adf (accessed 15 Nov. 2019)
• https://beeinformed.org/citizen-science/loss-and-management-survey/ (accessed 11 Dec. 2019)
• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/05/150524-bees-pollinators-animals-science-gardens-plants/ (accessed 15 Nov. 2019)