Vanishing of the Bees. 2010.
In 1994, systemic pesticides were introduced in France. These are applied to crop seeds, and infuse the plant for its life. Bee colonies began collapsing in France.
In 2003, systemic pesticides were introduced in the U.S. U.S. beekeepers first complained of honey bee colony collapse disorder in 2006.
Bees bring the pesticide-laden pollen back to the hive; the newly-hatched bees eat this pollen. Bees become confused and susceptible to bacteria, fungi, viruses, mites that they usually can fight off. Within about a year, the colony is all dead.
In France, systemic pesticides have been banned: bee populations are recovering.
In the U.S., the E.P.A. (which relies on research done by the pesticide companies) is not convinced that the systemic pesticides must be banned.
Honey bees continue to die by the billions in the U.S.
We can help by choosing to eat organic produce; avoid pesticide-grown foods.
http://www.vanishingbees.com/
For a good show about how bees survive and thrive when a colony is healthy, see Nova: Tales from the Hive: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1406058/reviews-1
In 1994, systemic pesticides were introduced in France. These are applied to crop seeds, and infuse the plant for its life. Bee colonies began collapsing in France.
In 2003, systemic pesticides were introduced in the U.S. U.S. beekeepers first complained of honey bee colony collapse disorder in 2006.
Bees bring the pesticide-laden pollen back to the hive; the newly-hatched bees eat this pollen. Bees become confused and susceptible to bacteria, fungi, viruses, mites that they usually can fight off. Within about a year, the colony is all dead.
In France, systemic pesticides have been banned: bee populations are recovering.
In the U.S., the E.P.A. (which relies on research done by the pesticide companies) is not convinced that the systemic pesticides must be banned.
Honey bees continue to die by the billions in the U.S.
We can help by choosing to eat organic produce; avoid pesticide-grown foods.
http://www.vanishingbees.com/
For a good show about how bees survive and thrive when a colony is healthy, see Nova: Tales from the Hive: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1406058/reviews-1