Bees are dying. By the millions.
Those who underestimate this problem are not aware of the seriousness of it. Humanity might survive without them, but the future would be bland and boring if it's worth living. Bees are pollinating approximately 80% of our crops, not to mention the endless other variety of plants. The problem is real, but we can fight it. We just need to understand the reasons and act accordingly. It is not an easy task, because we need to change several hundred years of ( wrong ) agricultural practices and several decades of wilful destruction of our environment for profit.
What are the reasons?
Since modern agriculture changed to monoculture reducing the variety of crops, - which goes against the basic principles of sustainability -, and ploughing eroded the top layer and lowered the amount of nutrients and minerals to grow healthy plants, our crops are more sensitive to pests and diseases. The consequence of this is the wide use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides and eventually GMO crops. In the long run this method will definitely lead to catastrophe. Bees are the markers.
If it is not healthy for bees, why we think it is healthy for humans?
Until the beginning of the 20th century farmers mainly used inorganic and natural insecticides, which later became less effective. These insecticides had been replaced by hydrocarbons, methylcarbamates and pyrethroids, just to name few. These were not as harmful to bees, but as agriculture changed its ways for the worse (mono-crop lands) and insects developed resistance, their effectiveness decreased. This situation generated a need for stronger plant protection products. Various researches revealed the high effectiveness of a new generation of pesticides, Neonicotinoids. Right now these are the most commonly used poisons, which we “ protect “ our crops with, from gardening to industrial farming since the early 1990s from their development and their worldwide acceptance in the beginning of the 2000s. Strange coincidence that the first reports started to surface about CCD (colony collapse disorder) around the globe (2006) almost simultaneously. Since it was developed and first implemented in the USA the American bee colonies and other natural pollinators suffered the biggest losses, decimating their numbers. Right now almost a dozen, if not more, different species of bees and other pollinators are on the endangered species list in the States.
But why is it so bad for bees?
Neonicotinoid compounds are structurally and functionally similar to nicotine. The primary aim of action of the pesticides is to damage the insects nervous system and mid-gut. Various studies proved that neonicotinoids impair the smell, memory and learning ability of bees as well. These issues eerily similar to the symptoms of CCD. Moreover, physiological effects as breathing or development of pharyngeal glands which is active in honey bees during the foraging season are also impaired. Apart from neurological signs neonicotinoids also reduce bee's resistance to diseases and pests. Therefore we can clearly state that while certain corporations try to shift the blame for CCD onto - for example - the varroe mite, this is not entirely true, since it is merely a symptom of weaker immune system and reduced hygiene instinct, thanks to pesticide poisoning.
The other reasons which make these already serious effects even worse are pollution, habitat loss, less nutritious pollen and stress, related to the overworking of bees, especially in the pollinating services industry. All these problems can weaken the already damaged body of these amazing creatures. I can't help but think that these symptoms are quite similar to the symptoms of the human population. Alzheimer, cancer, asthma, mental problems and the list goes on.
“ Ultimately bees are the canaries in the coal-mine telling us that there is something wrong with the way we are doing agriculture “
So what can we do?
It is an illusion that we will be able to change agriculture one day to another. The change needs to start from the individuals. We need to realise that we are part of the system, weather we like it or not, not above it. Good examples, technology, knowledge and even will is there. But we can't do it, because it is not profitable enough. Permaculture, how to grow food sustainably together with nature. Aquaponics, where we can grow fish and plants together can be easily scaled up for industrial farming, if needed. And the beauty of it, once you set it up properly, not much work is required, since nature will do the job. Especially in permaculture. After all nature does the job, and nature knows best.
But not everybody is interested in this, so why not plant some flowers, which bees and pollinators like? Or stop killing “ weeds “, because most of the time they are as important as other plants, even for humans. And stop cutting down the trees. It takes little effort from us, but can have a huge effect the life of bees.
If we want to take care of our pollinators there are lots of fantastic, natural products out there to help strengthen the bee colonies. However they treat only the symptoms without eliminating the main cause of CCD.
Until now.
There is a small company, which takes bee protection to the next level, Biobalance. They launched ApisPlus which is a revolutionary product which addresses the problem caused by pesticides. It works two ways. It stimulates the natural hygiene instinct of bees, which naturally protects honeybees against pests and diseases. Simultaneously, protects bees’ nervous- and immune systems against the negative effects of pesticides poisoning, including the most dangerous neonicotinoids as well. It is not a miracle cure, which solves all of our problems, but since it goes after the root of the problem it can stop the further decline, because bees are highly sensitive to poisoning caused by pesticides.
To be efficient in eliminating pests and pathogenic micro-organisms pesticides must stay on plants for sufficient amount of time. This results in the pollution of the nectar, pollen, honeydew and even water, which is the main cause of pesticides poisoning in bees. Since we established that the symptoms of CCD and pesticides poisoning are the same, let's see what are the symptoms.
- Reduction of activity
- Disorganization of work
- Loss of larvae development and nursing
- Increased vulnerability to parasites
- Weakening of the colony
- Impaired wintering in the hive
- Disorientation and loss of memory.
And yes, all of them due to the pesticides. Therefore if we eliminate the pesticide problem we naturally eliminate all of these problems. And ApisPlus just does this, by braking down the pesticide molecule from the bee's body. It took them 10 years of research and field tests, but well, it was worth it. And to top it up it is 100% natural. The main ingredients of ApisPlus are precursors of isometric flavanones extracted from common hop. Because of this there is no possibility of overdose. Can be given by pouring, spraying or feeding.
So to sum it up. The will and the possible solutions are there. Let's start to save bees, let's change our ways until it is not too late. After all, saving the bees is saving ourselves.