Comments on: Bees and CCD http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/wildlife/bees-and-ccd/ A blog about woodland activities, outdoor skills and conservation Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:20:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: leon Arditti http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/wildlife/bees-and-ccd/comment-page-1/#comment-3761 leon Arditti Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:35:58 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/wildlife/bees-and-ccd/#comment-3761 well we get a lot of bumble bee types in our garden, at least ten or more in a range of colours, a short distance away in another garden is a lime tree and last year when in flower, which is starting now it was swarming with bumble bees. when we walked up the lane next day there where dead bees every where below the tree. I noticed that some of the live bees appeared to be as if drunk?!, then it became apparent what was going on. a live bumble bee had a large wasp or hornet on its back, and the creature removed its head and flew off with it. on close inspection all the dead bees where headless at least two hundred or more, I have never seen this action before, and hope not to see it again, we do of late have a number of hornets in the Tunbridge wells area and what I belive are wood wasps in a dark brown colour. if this is repeated I will take photo's and samples, regards Leon. well we get a lot of bumble bee types in our garden, at least ten or more in a range of colours, a short distance away in another garden is a lime tree and last year when in flower, which is starting now it was swarming with bumble bees.
when we walked up the lane next day there where dead bees every where below the tree.
I noticed that some of the live bees appeared to be as if drunk?!, then it became apparent what was going on.
a live bumble bee had a large wasp or hornet on its back, and the creature removed its head and flew off with it.
on close inspection all the dead bees where headless at least two hundred or more, I have never seen this action before, and hope not to see it again, we do of late have a number of hornets in the Tunbridge wells area and what I belive are wood wasps in a dark brown colour.

if this is repeated I will take photo’s and samples, regards Leon.

]]> By: Vivien http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/wildlife/bees-and-ccd/comment-page-1/#comment-3296 Vivien Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:59:14 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/wildlife/bees-and-ccd/#comment-3296 Honey bees are in trouble due to many factors. The increased use of pesticides, particularly the nicotinoids which have been banned in some countries. Bees seem to do better in urban situations than near agricultural land, where they can collect a variety of pollens instead of the single pollens from monoculture. Another problem is the smaller gene pool due to queens bought from particular breeders, instead of the availability of wild swarms which would have lead to obviously lead to healthier stock years ago. The wax foundation bought for frames in the hive could be another problem, as I read that a cocktail of chemicals was found in the wax. As the wax in hives is melted down and re-used over and over this could be an on going problem. I wonder if it would be better to use the top bar system where the bees build their own comb? I also wonder about the sugar syrup and candy winter feed. As it isn't organic, does it contain pesticide residue's which could weaken the bees?. I am certainly no expert, but I think these questions should be addressed. Honey bees are in trouble due to many factors. The increased use of pesticides, particularly the nicotinoids which have been banned in some countries. Bees seem to do better in urban situations than near agricultural land, where they can collect a variety of pollens instead of the single pollens from monoculture. Another problem is the smaller gene pool due to queens bought from particular breeders, instead of the availability of wild swarms which would have lead to obviously lead to healthier stock years ago. The wax foundation bought for frames in the hive could be another problem, as I read that a cocktail of chemicals was found in the wax. As the wax in hives is melted down and re-used over and over this could be an on going problem. I wonder if it would be better to use the top bar system where the bees build their own comb? I also wonder about the sugar syrup and candy winter feed. As it isn’t organic, does it contain pesticide residue’s which could weaken the bees?. I am certainly no expert, but I think these questions should be addressed.

]]> By: BestBeekeeping http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/wildlife/bees-and-ccd/comment-page-1/#comment-3085 BestBeekeeping Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:37:42 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/wildlife/bees-and-ccd/#comment-3085 The importance of honey bees as pollinators cannot be overstated, and there is no doubt that colony collapse disorder (whatever the cause) is real and spreading throughout the world. As individuals, we really can make a difference by making our gardens insect friendly, and by keeping one or two beeshives ourselves. Not only will this do a service to bees, but it is also incredibly rewarding, and the honey is delicious! The importance of honey bees as pollinators cannot be overstated, and there is no doubt that colony collapse disorder (whatever the cause) is real and spreading throughout the world.
As individuals, we really can make a difference by making our gardens insect friendly, and by keeping one or two beeshives ourselves. Not only will this do a service to bees, but it is also incredibly rewarding, and the honey is delicious!

]]> By: catherine http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/wildlife/bees-and-ccd/comment-page-1/#comment-711 catherine Thu, 20 Sep 2007 12:41:49 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/wildlife/bees-and-ccd/#comment-711 There was a programme about CCD in the States on the Food Programme on Radio 4 a while ago. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/foodprogramme_20070708.shtml There was a programme about CCD in the States on the Food Programme on Radio 4 a while ago.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/foodprogramme_20070708.shtml

]]> By: Chris http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/wildlife/bees-and-ccd/comment-page-1/#comment-326 Chris Fri, 18 May 2007 23:06:54 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/wildlife/bees-and-ccd/#comment-326 Here's a report that suggests some bees are having problems with hive beetles and a yeast http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2007/05/18/hives_ferment_a_yeasty_brew_attract_beetle_pest.html Here’s a report that suggests some bees are having problems with hive beetles and a yeast
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2007/05/18/hives_ferment_a_yeasty_brew_attract_beetle_pest.html

]]> By: Lewis http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/wildlife/bees-and-ccd/comment-page-1/#comment-274 Lewis Wed, 16 May 2007 08:05:38 +0000 http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/wildlife/bees-and-ccd/#comment-274 Some interesting material on bees and CCD at Wikipedia, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_Collapse_Disorder Some interesting material on bees and CCD at Wikipedia, see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_Collapse_Disorder

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