looks like the bees may be recovering some in this area....

[RobS]

I share the observation of Rosie that where the honeybee is less present wild solitary and bumblebees fill the gap. There is many different ways to help them. First is not to clean your garden to much and have plenty of flowering plants all over the year. A simple log with different sized holes drilled into them is a great nesting site (3-8mm, 50mm deep) or a bundle of reet / bamboo.

It also makes good sense that bees will do better if they can keep their honey. Honey is more healthy for us so it must be the same for bees.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by johnblagg

GM corn surup made from bt corn...the verdict is out on that one yet but BT toxin is Bt toxin ....

Irrespective of the bees, there has been accumulating evidence that the pollen from the bt corn is likely responsible for the death of many moth and butterfly caterpillars, including the monarch butterfly. Because corn pollen is windborne, the pollen can contaminate nonfood crops as well.

Originally Posted by RobS

I share the observation of Rosie that where the honeybee is less present wild solitary and bumblebees fill the gap.

The solitary bees are actually far more efficient than honeybees in pollinating. Honeybees get "all the publicity" largely because of the honey industry.

Originally Posted by RobS

A simple log with different sized holes drilled into them is a great nesting site (3-8mm, 50mm deep) or a bundle of reet / bamboo.

In creating such a nesting site, it can also be beneficial to orient the holes so that they are not easily accessible to birds.


I recently read an article that was discussing the theory that neonicotinoids like Imidacloprid may be a contributing factor to CCD.

[johnblagg]

Originally Posted by Paul

I recently read an article that was discussing the theory that neonicotinoids like Imidacloprid may be a contributing factor to CCD.

I have read the same thing ...but they have discoverd the ccd is actually the effect of a virus and a fungus infecting the colony at the same time...either alone will not have much effect but together they are deadly...