Ana Barrios / Contributing Writer
Most people have a fear of bees due to the insect’s tendency to sting in self defense.
However, much use can be found in the honey bees make, as it can be used as a sweetener or substitute for granulated sugar.
A bee’s job is not only to make honey, but to contribute to the pollination process.
Pollination is the process of transferring pollen to the female reproductive organs of seed plants, enabling fertilization and the growth of our food.
Without bees, there will be no honey and consequently, we will lose many of the foods we eat.
Farmers use pesticides on their crops in order to protect the harvest from any bugs and insects that could destroy them. Unfortunately, the harmful pesticides they’re spraying also kill bees.
One particular pesticide called Neonicotonoid has recently killed approximately 250 million bees in just a few years. Additionally, this pesticide infects other vulnerable species such as birds, earthworms and bats.
Another reason behind the decline of bee colonies is a phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).
When bees develop CCD, it causes them to feel disoriented and not be able to return home. This causes the bees to become lost, leaving behind their queen and food.
Many bees die if they do not find their way home and those who are able to locate their hive fly back after being poisoned and drop dead within their colony.
What causes CCD is still unknown, but it is most likely the enhanced usage of pesticides and a deadly combination of pathogens and parasites.
Over 40% of bee colonies here in the U.S. have suffered in the last ten years from CCD.
Because bees are already an endangered species, killing them will do more harm than good.
Instead of killing bees, take action. Save them because they provide us with food and the nutrition necessary to be healthy.
[Image from Flickr, resized]
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