Did you know…
These days, everyone talks about bee mortality – but what does the term really mean?
What does «bee mortality» mean?
Of what used to be over 600 local wild bee species, already more than 10% are extinct and 45% at risk. The honey bee is one of these wild bee species. Virtually extinct in its natural habitat, the honey bee is used in apiculture in a quantity and density that has never been seen before. The indigenous original variety has been displaced and replaced with imported races.
Why do bees die in general?
Pesticides used in agriculture place a chronic strain on the bee. The loss of habitat is making life for the bee increasingly difficult. The honey bee for example used to live in old, thick, hollow trees and has now lost this habitat due to the intensive silviculture that has become the norm today.
Why do bees die in apiaries?
As a consequence of routinely applied acid treatments, factory farming, feeding of sugar, prevention of swarming, artificial reproduction etc. the bee is no longer able to adapt to its environment. This has fostered the spreading of parasites and bee diseases.