Why We Are Saving The Honey Bee...
The honey bee, Apis mellifera, has been in decline over the past few years due to Colony Collapse Disorder, diseases, parasitic mites and other stressors. US Beekeepers lost 36 percent of their hives between 2007 and 2008.
Honey Bees are our most beneficial insect. We must do all we can to protect bee colonies, which contribute as pollinators for many of our fruits and vegetables. The annual contribution of honey bees to food production in the United States is estimated to be $10 billion.
Honey bees are primary pollinators of almonds, apples, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupes, cranberries, cucumbers, forage crops, kiwi fruit, squash and watermelons.
We should do everything possible individually and as a nation to save honey bee colonies that become a problem in structural walls. 80% of fruits and vegetables that require pollination may not make it to market if we don't do all we can do to save them.
