Ask SAM: What's bugging the bees?

This column is provided by Larimer County Extension's Small Acreage Management (SAM) Program to assist rural residents.

Dear SAM,

Last year we read about honeybees disappearing from their hives. Did anyone figure out what was happening?

Susan

Dear Susan,

During the winter of 2006-2007, beekeepers experienced unusually high losses of hives. Similar losses are being reported this year. Nationwide, about one-third of commercial beehives have been lost during each of the past two winters. The syndrome is called Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD.

Rather than finding a hive full of dead bees, affected beekeepers find hives where the adult bees have disappeared. This makes it difficult to determine the cause of CCD, as the missing bees cannot be tested for pathogens.

Many theories have circulated trying to explain CCD. Disease, parasites, pesticides, overworked bees and radiation from cell phones have been mentioned as suspects. So far, only cell phones have been ruled out as a culprit.

Researchers believe a combination of factors could be causing CCD. An important element appears to be Israeli acute paralysis virus. The virus is relatively new to North America and may have arrived with imported bees. Not all hives with the virus experience CCD, which leads researchers to believe a combination of factors could be at work.

Neonicotinoids, a recently developed class of insecticides that includes the widely used compound imidicloprid, are being investigated as possible contributors to CCD. Imidicloprid is not lethal to bees when used as directed, but some researchers theorize that sublethal doses could make bees susceptible to other stresses. They are studying whether neonicotinoids in combination with the IAPV virus might cause CCD. Currently, however, there is no evidence that neonicotinoids are unsafe when used properly.

Excessive honeybee workloads are also being examined. Bees are shipped throughout the country to follow pollination needs of various crops. Long hours on the road may cause stress for the bees, making them more susceptible to disease. And you thought you were the only one who got uptight during rush hour!

Early on, there was concern that a shortage of bees for pollination would impact food supplies. This has not been the case. Enough bees were available to pollinate crops in 2007, and no shortage is expected in 2008. But the impact to the beekeeping industry has been severe enough to warrant continued research into the causes of Colony Collapse Disorder.

If you are interested in becoming a beekeeper, the Northern Colorado Beekeepers Association (www.fortnet.org/NCBA) provides information and classes. Also, watch for amendments to the Larimer County Land Use Code that address beekeeping. The code amendments, which give guidance for creating a healthy beekeeping environment without impacting neighbors, will probably be finalized this summer.

SAM

Have a question about rural living? Write to Ask SAM, Larimer County Cooperative Extension, 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524 or e-mail emarx@larimer.org.