Where are the honeybees disappearing to? Scientists increasingly believe several interacting factors—from disease-carrying parasites to poor nutrition to pesticides—are responsible for the mass die-off.
For instance, studies show that exposure to even nonfatal levels of neonicotinoids may make bees more susceptible to disease. But nothing makes a living creature more susceptible than malnutrition. Commercial beekeepers feed bees high-fructose corn syrup instead of honey for the same reason that commercial food manufacturers feed it to us: it’s cheaper. We can all contribute to the pollination of our own land by keeping a few beehives. Now, you and your bees must get off the corn syrup!
Stephanie Selene Anderson is Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Selene River Press.
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