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Several factors contributing to the decline in honeybees

A bee-keeper says there are several factors contributing to the decline of the nation’s honey bee population.  Mike Seib (sighb) of Mooresville, Indiana says in the Midwest – weather is one of them.  He says it is typical for bee keepers in the Midwest to lose up to 50 percent of their honey bees due to extended cold temperatures.

Seib is hoping this winter the losses won’t be quite as bad.  “It’s supposed to be an El Nino year,” he says.  “It is supposed to be warmer so we’re hoping that it is not near as cold.”

He says pesticides continue to be problematic for honey bees.  “It may not kill the bees right away,” he says.  “But it does make them weaker going into winter.  And the pollen that they’ve collected could have pesticides in it – so as they eat that up and feed it to the larva early next Spring – it could also affect the bees as far as their ability to overwinter.”

Seib tells Brownfield pesticide use by farmers isn’t the only problem.  “You’re seeing the neonicotinoids used on home lawns – and that is some of the problem, too,” he says.  “It’s not so much if a teaspoon is good – two teaspoons is better.”

Experts in the ag chemical industry say bee losses are caused by multiple factors and that neonicotinoids must be used properly by growers.