Bees are disappearing...

**slamster** · 16th Jul 08, 02:23

Honey bees are dieing due to a phenomenon called colony collapse disorder. check out this vid...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m5vt07W2n4

Where my bees at!?

**rah** · 16th Jul 08, 03:07

Originally Posted by slamster

Honey bees are dieing due to a phenomenon called colony collapse disorder. check out this vid...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m5vt07W2n4

Where my bees at!?

Only in north america as far as I know. I have a shady memory, but I think it is caused by mites on the bees.

**Dave B** · 16th Jul 08, 08:11

They're returning to their home planet, according to Dr Who!

**Eki** · 16th Jul 08, 11:10

Originally Posted by Dave Brockman

They're returning to their home planet, according to Dr Who!

Who?

**Azumanga Davo** · 16th Jul 08, 13:55

Originally Posted by Eki

Who?

Two answers coiuld follow this:

1. Yes

2. The guy on first base

Take your pick

**schmenke** · 16th Jul 08, 14:42

Oh, bee quiet!

**Eki** · 16th Jul 08, 19:24

Originally Posted by schmenke

Oh, bee quiet!

Two bees or not two bees, that's the question.

**Mp3 Astra** · 16th Jul 08, 20:28

Oh bee-have, guys, let's get back on topic bee-fore we all get hives.

Anyway, although I do hate bees because I was constantly stung as a child (and now have a phobia), it would be very strange to have a planet without bees. Kind of like a planet without Channel 5 - kind of relieving but has something missing.

**Eki** · 16th Jul 08, 20:50

Originally Posted by Mp3 Astra

Oh bee-have, guys, let's get back on topic bee-fore we all get hives.

Anyway, although I do hate bees because I was constantly stung as a child (and now have a phobia), it would be very strange to have a planet without bees. Kind of like a planet without Channel 5 - kind of relieving but has something missing.

Without bees you'd have no honey and fewer flowers.

**schmenke** · 16th Jul 08, 22:50

A world without bees would be a disaster. They play a vital role in the pollination of plants, hence the health of our ecosystems.

**Hazell B** · 17th Jul 08, 14:46

Originally Posted by rah

Only in north america as far as I know. I have a shady memory, but I think it is caused by mites on the bees.

No, it's a genuine issue here in the UK.

Seriously, it is a real problem, and it's bad if you want to keep eating apples, drinking cider or stuffing your face with fruit pies

With only private individuals owning hives nobody really knows how many have vanished and there's not much cash for research, but about half the UK honey bees are said to be simply gone in some areas. I know somebody who loans hives to farmers to pollenate orchards or lavender fields and he's not getting them all back. Having said that, normal wild bees will still do an okay job in some cases, so we won't all suddenly starve.

There's no known reason (mites aren't to blame, that's almost certain) as the bees simply vanish (like an old oak table) or die.

**schmenke** · 17th Jul 08, 14:54

Originally Posted by Hazell B

...There's no known reason (mites aren't to blame, that's almost certain) as the bees simply vanish (like an old oak table) or die.

Beewildering innit...

**Hazell B** · 17th Jul 08, 14:57

Beehave

**TOgoFASTER** · 17th Jul 08, 15:13

The Bees leave infected hives.

But wait here is a cure.

http://www.andhranews.net/India/2008...ists-53191.asp

**Drew** · 17th Jul 08, 17:07

I don't beelieve it.

**rah** · 17th Jul 08, 22:31

Originally Posted by Hazell B

No, it's a genuine issue here in the UK.

Seriously, it is a real problem, and it's bad if you want to keep eating apples, drinking cider or stuffing your face with fruit pies

With only private individuals owning hives nobody really knows how many have vanished and there's not much cash for research, but about half the UK honey bees are said to be simply gone in some areas. I know somebody who loans hives to farmers to pollenate orchards or lavender fields and he's not getting them all back. Having said that, normal wild bees will still do an okay job in some cases, so we won't all suddenly starve.

There's no known reason (mites aren't to blame, that's almost certain) as the bees simply vanish (like an old oak table) or die.

Fair enough did not know that. I got the mite thing from a UK science podcast i think. Either way the Aus colonies are showing no signs AFAIK so we can alwasy export some to widen the gene pool.

**Azumanga Davo** · 18th Jul 08, 06:29

Originally Posted by rah

Fair enough did not know that. I got the mite thing from a UK science podcast i think. Either way the Aus colonies are showing no signs AFAIK so we can alwasy export some to widen the gene pool.

Hmmm, should be fun in the future:

Keeper: Hello Mr. Honeybee, have you any honey today?
Aussie Bee: All in the hive, mate.
Keeper: Busy day was it?
Aussie Bee: Rooted, I am.
Keeper: Well, thanks for your help.
Aussie Bee: No f%^&*ing worries... *continuation of stereotypes*

**maxu05** · 18th Jul 08, 11:13

Perhaps the bees heard someone say Buzz Off.

**Azumanga Davo** · 18th Jul 08, 15:30

Originally Posted by maxu05

Perhaps the bees heard someone say Buzz Off.

I'm closing the internet.

*flips the sign on the door

**Daniel** · 22nd Jul 08, 22:54

Originally Posted by rah

Fair enough did not know that. I got the mite thing from a UK science podcast i think. Either way the Aus colonies are showing no signs AFAIK so we can alwasy export some to widen the gene pool.

I believe that's already been done

Thank god for Steve and his "Quarantine! Don't fu... err I mean muck with it" ads