Something we should know

[REDWOOD]

http://naturalsciencenews.com/2016/...inked-to-the-number-of-pesticides-not-dosage/

 

[REDWOOD]

http://naturalsciencenews.com/2016/...es-act-as-contraceptives-for-drone-honeybees/

 

[Erichalfbee]

Thanks for the link
The article just reinforces what a lot of people already suspect.
It's all down to money and profit but what sort of planet are we leaving for our grandchildren?

 

[oliver90owner]

Perhaps need to alert bpmurray with these links?

 

[Finman]

.
And beehive number has doubled in London in 8 years...

And in USA hive numbers has been the same 8 years.
.

 

[alanf]

.
And beehive number has doubled in London in 8 years...

No they haven't. That's a misleading claim from some campaigners. It's based on the number of hives registered on a national database which was established for tracking and dealing with outbreaks of foulbrood. But the database was only established a few years before and during the past few years beekeepers have been encouraged to register their bees. Because the numbers on the register increased, it doesn't mean the they didn't exist before.

In practice, beekeeper numbers as reflected in association membership were probably lowest around 2000 when many gave up after a struggle with varroa. It has increased since, but the number of hives now is maybe a third of what was there in the 1950s.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

but the number of hives now is maybe a third of what was there in the 1950s.

But a bit disingenuous to quote that 'fact' as well. as the 1950's figure had been greatly boosted by the 'temporary' great increase in hives during the war to take advantage of the sugar rationing concessions. Soon as sugar came off ration they then steadily decreased as people gave up their bees and the figure returned to their pre war numbers.

 

[alanf]

But a bit disingenuous to quote that 'fact' as well. as the 1950's figure had been greatly boosted by the 'temporary' great increase in hives during the war to take advantage of the sugar rationing concessions...

Possibly some opportunism, but not based entirely on self reporting. There was a post war drive to treat for acarine mite among Middx association members. The 1946 campaign included 3500 hives, that's in suburban London to the North and West, maybe a third of the area of what is now Greater London.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

sugar rationing ended in 1953 - it was after that I would have expected the drop in hive numbers to start.

 

[bpmurray]

Perhaps need to alert bpmurray with these links?

Already saw it

Actually, this whole area is clearly very complex. Here's another article that makes the same claim, but includes a whole load of other factors, including moving bees, importing queens, and other beekeeper foibles.

https://news.cnrs.fr/articles/why-bees-are-disappearing