2/20/07 Saving Honey Bees

When I was a kid certain things were black and white, there were good bees and bad bees. Squishing honey bees was simply not tolerated, for we all knew they were friend of farmer and flower. Today the worker bees are dying in droves, in at least 22 states being killed by an illness called Colony Collapse Disorder that has left the scientific community baffled. While the death of tens of thousands of honey bees doesn't rock our personal world, it should for the implications could be staggering. Much like loosing the transportation industry from the grocery segment, a shortage of honey bees impacts the majority of our crops that must be pollinated to provide the food, fiber, drugs and now even fuel that we depend upon for our daily existence. Bee's are fascinating creatures, normally a weakened colony is a easy takeover for more aggressive hives yet honey bee's seem to innately know to steer clear of hives with Colony Collapse Disorder and won't go near the diseased hive for over two weeks. Let's hope this survival tactic will help preserve the little critters until researchers can find a cure.