What Is Colony Collapse Disorder, and Why Should You Care?
Making a Case for the Bees
Many people run in terror when they hear the faint buzzing of a honeybee in the soft summer breeze. And not without cause, as some may suffer from serious bee sting allergies. One sting could cause a pretty bad reaction, from swelling to difficulty breathing. Parents may especially fear for their children’s health and safety when the bees come out to pollinate.
But, bees should inspire much more than fear within humans. In fact, quite the contrary. It’s the absence of bees that should be a real cause for worry. Without the presence of bees on the planet, the world would be facing a serious hunger crisis. That’s because bees are the number one insect pollinator on Earth. Bees are responsible for pollinating 75% of U.S. crops, or “one out of every four bites of food,” according to the United States Geological Survey. Shocking, right? Bees pollinate plants, which means farmers can grow crops, and people can have a reliable supply of food to eat.
But, it’s this very loss of bee colonies that is unfortunately occurring and troubling beekeepers and scientists alike in recent years. You may have seen #savethebees trending on social media at some point or perhaps you’ve simply heard about the mysterious disappearance of bees across the globe. This is referred to as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Let’s take a look at what it is, what causes it, and what you can do to help.
Colony Collapse Disorder
Per the Environmental Protection Agency, CCD is “the phenomenon that occurs when the majority of worker bees in a colony disappear and leave behind a queen, plenty of food and a few nurse bees to care for the remaining immature bees and the queen.” With the loss of the hive, these survivors die too. CCD was first reported in 2006, and a staggering 1 million hives collapsed the winter following the initial reports of colony collapse.
Scientists Scratch Their Heads
The cause of CCD remains a mystery. Suspected culprits range from pesticides and the Varroa mite to poor beekeeping practices. The European Union has even gone so far as to restrict neonicotinoids, a type of pesticide that may be contributing to CCD. While the jury is still out on the cause of CCD, many federal and private organizations are conducting research to find solutions.
Lend a Helping Hand
The good news is, everyone can do their part to end CCD. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends planting a garden or putting a stop to pesticide use. Pollinator Partnership advocates raising awareness of CCD to educate others about the issue, as well as buying honey products to keep beekeepers in business and their hives a-buzzing. Whatever you choose to do, it doesn’t hurt to spread the news on behalf of the bees, or at least have gained a newfound appreciation for their enormous impact on the world. After all, what would we eat without them?
