OT: Cure For Honey Bee Colony Collapse?

[Guest guest]

Howdy Liz,

 

" For the first time, scientists have isolated the parasite Nosema

> ceranae (Microsporidia) from professional apiaries suffering from

> honey bee colony depopulation syndrome. They then went on to treat the

> infection with complete success. "

>

> Read full article here:

> http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090414084627.htm

>

 

Great news this is and thanks for passing it along. :-)

 

Since we moved to Henry County, Tennessee in July 2007, I have noticed how

lucky we are in that there has been no shortage of bees here .. but they are

wild bees. Our apple, peach and pear trees have about completed their

blooming cycle but our cherry trees are in full bloom now and bees are

swarming them .. same thing happened last year. All throughout last year's

gardening season bees were plentiful in our garden and on our flowers.

There has been a good bit of research conducted by various groups in the

Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area .. not far from us .. and the

feedback I have received is that the honeybee problems just didn't make it

to this part of Tennessee. :-)

 

Y'all have a good one .. and keep smiling. :-)

 

Butch ... http://www.AV-AT.com <http://www.av-at.com/>

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hey Butch and Liz,

 

Last year we had our share of honeybees, especially by my lavender

plants. This year, though, it really is surprising to see the numbers

we are getting. We don't get swarms, like Butch, but I counted 5

within a few minutes, on a hot Sunday last week. Not bad.

 

I always enjoy seeing these busy workers. Unlike the wasps we also

get, or the juicy moths that I chase out of the house with a broom,

the bees don't pay any attention to us at all. They're just fun to

watch and listen to.

 

Have you guys seen the project to count local bee populations? You

sign up, they send you seeds for a certain sunflower plant. Then you

grow them, and sit and count bees, and report back. More info at

their website:

 

http://www.greatsunflower.org/en/four-easy-steps-participate

 

Cheers,

Christina