Bath Beekeepers

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The Plight of The Honey Bee
Nigel Hurst
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State of the Nation
Winter Losses
30% of colonies in the UK did not survive the Winter/early Spring
30,000 colonies, 20,000 bees in a winter colony - 650 million bees lost
Here in the South-West it was actually 50% reported loss
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)
Not a UK phenomenon.
Industrial scale beekeeping in the US
Feral Colonies
Very few colonies in the UK that aren't managed by beekeepers
Estimates say only about 1% of colonies are Feral
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Reasons for Decline
Climate
Bees do not fly in the wet or at less than 10 C
No flights no nectar for food, no pollen for brood rearing
Plant seasons
Parasites/Disease
Varroa Parasite
Lowers immune system
Forage
Agricultural Desert
Monoculture
- Unsuitable crop
Less wildflower habitat
Pesticides
Neonicotinoids
Organophosphates
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The Common Factor
Climate
- Global Warming
Parasites/Disease
- Bee Imports
Forage
- Modern farming
- Population growth
Pesticides
- Increased Yield
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Not All Gloom & Doom
30 Million Years
Bath Beekeepers
Very healthy association
180+ members
650+ hives
Come & visit in the Spring
Colony Increase & Recovery
Colony Splits
Swarming