Guerilla Beekeepers

On the heels of the EPA's June approval of a bee-killing pesticide sulfoxaflor (and a slew of other recent environment-destroying actions), the White House said it would stop collecting data on declining honey bee populationspotentially making it impossible to analyze the effects of the chemical and the administration's other anti-science policies on the pollinators. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said that it would indefinitely suspend data collection for its Hon...ey Bee Colonies report, which has been compiled every year since 2015. The report helps scientists and farmers to assess the decline of honey bees, which are responsible for pollinating one in every three bites of food taken by humans. The number of honey bee hives in the U.S. dropped from about six million in 1947 to just 2.4 million in 2008, with 2018 being the worst year on record for hive loss. Beekeepers reported last year that 40% of honey bee hives had collapsed due to a combination of factors including the use of pesticides. Scientists say continuously monitoring the health of honey bee hives in vital to understanding why and how they are in decline. Yet another blow to public and environmental health in the name of corporate profits.

As Voice of the Beehive sang so eloquently, sorrow floats.

With our bees we are always happy Photo credit Bee Charmer

Handy comparison list

A perennial favorite native to North America, bee balm (also called wild bergamot) is beloved in flower beds for its beautiful blooms of red, pink, purple or whitenot to mention the fragrant foliage. Plus, the flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees! Here’s how to plant and grow bee balm in your garden!