SALISBURY, Md. (WBOC) – Beekeepers are sounding the alarm over the dramatic spikes in honey bee die-offs.
Hundreds of millions of bees have died in the past several months, and it’s unknown what’s to blame, according to experts.
Beekeepers said the impact may soon be felt not only at farms, but also at your local grocery store.
Creating the perfect environment is a labor of love for beekeepers like Tom Babcock. It helps the bugs thrive, produce honey, and pollinate.
He said he’s been lucky enough to only lose one entire hive.
“I’ve been doing this since 2010,” Babcock said. “Never seen anything like this, not the amount of losses.”
Fellow beekeeper Laura Pascarella is facing the same fears.
“This is a thriving colony. This colony so far is doing exactly what it should in the spring,” she said. “But there are many beekeepers who find these thriving colonies and go back a month later, and something has happened. They are no longer thriving. They’re either dying off or gone.”
Pascarella said this isn’t just a scary sight for beekeepers. It’s a scary reality that will have ripple effects across the entire agricultural economy.
Honey bees pollinate around 75% of fruits, nuts, and vegetables in the United States – around $15 billion worth of crops.
“A lot of people don’t realize, but honey bees are the number one food source pollinators, so if you are 60% short on your food pollinator for your crops, you’re going to be short on your agricultural production,” Pascarella said.
It’s a buzzing issue with major impacts.
However, there are ways to help improve honey bee survival.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said to avoid using pesticides during midday hours, which is when bees tend to forage for pollen and nectar.
Planting pollinator-friendly plants, such as red clover and bee balm, can also help.
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