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Loading...4 Tips for Bee Keeping
- Chaya, selected from Networx
- June 9, 2011
- 3:30 pm
- 54 comments
By Jordan Laio, Hometalk
Domesticated honeybees have been in the news a lot in recent years because of their mysterious dwindling numbers due to colony collapse disorder. CCD seems to be caused by a cocktail of problems, from bee exposure to pesticides, to being fed insufficient food, to environmental stress, to pests like the varroa mite. These factors are exacerbated by a new virus/fungus combination which affects the bees’ already jeopardized immune systems.
Wild populations have also been suffering for lack of habitat due to urban sprawl. A large percentage of our fruit and vegetable crops in the United States depend on pollination from bees and they are a link in a long domino-chain of species interdependence. Some have dubbed the disappearing honeybees the proverbial canary in the mine.
In reaction, many individuals have taken it upon themselves to keep their own backyard bees, and to do it naturally in order to encourage robust health and disease resistance in their hives. These are pioneers in the world of beekeeping, often eschewing practices considered de rigueur in the beekeeping world, and their bees are thriving.
The organization at the forefront of this brave new world is the Los Angeles-based Backwards Beekeepers (beehuman.blogspot.com), founded by veteran beekeepers Kirk Anderson (whom his peers know as Kirkobeeo), Russell Bates and Amy Seidenwurm. I got the chance to speak with Ruth Askren, a member of Backwards Beekeepers and active beekeeper, in order to get advice on natural beekeeping in residential landscapes.
Next: How to Be a Backwards Beekeeper
Read more: Conservation, Environment, Home, Lawns & Gardens, Nature, Nature & Wildlife, bee keeping, bees
Chaya, selected from Networx
Networx.com empowers people to make educated, economical and Earth-friendly renovation and home repair choices. We are a community of homeowners, renters and contractors who are committed to sharing home improvement expertise and experience.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
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people are talking
Possibly very effective! Please --actions like this may need to be repeated -- probably about 8 time…
It was supposed to say "Do I really have to GO out!, etc. I so enjoyed everyone's comments!!!!
Thanks Shelley for the info. I don't drink alcohol but will pass it on to friends who do.
When does Doggy Soccer Start?
Interesting, yet another reason to stop eating meat. Thanks !
54 comments
+ add your ownThank you for sharing.
Thanks.
Thank you.
Looks interesting and helpful. Thank you.
I want to have bees,and have room.I like the idea of no chem. but want to make a big investment then lose the whole hive.Where do I start? I would like to start spring 2012.What do I read to do it backward and organic.
Id like to have a hive, too, but I'm under the same restrictions as Mike & Janis B; but I do have a wild bumblebee hive in an exhaust vent of my house! They're welcome.
Thanks.
thanks for the article
Sadly I have no garden to keep bees in otherwise I would love to.
The bees have proven to this, the most arrogant of species, how utterly important these small wonderful creatures are to this world's continued ecological health.
I wonder if our species will take this lesson to heart, for good?
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