HUFFINGTON POST: … He said he is seeking solutions to stop colony collapse disorder, in which honey bees suddenly disappear or die. The disorder wipes out thousands of colonies each year and threatens the pollination of fruits, nuts and vegetables that people depend on to survive…
Since it was recognized in 2006, colony collapse disorder has destroyed colonies at a rate of about 30 percent a year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Before that, losses were about 15 percent a year from pests and diseases. No one has determined its cause, but most researchers point to a combination of factors, including pesticide contamination, poor nutrition and bee diseases.
To help prevent bee deaths, Cox urges farmers to spray crops with pesticides at night instead of daytime when bees are more active. There are other things beekeepers can do to mitigate the problem, he added… (more)
