- Varroa mites are devastating honeybee populations, affecting 54.8% of colonies and making bees more susceptible to diseases and harsh conditions
- Colony collapse disorder remains a significant threat, with 70,650 colonies lost in just three months, despite a 34% decrease from the previous year
- Neonicotinoid pesticides, particularly thiacloprid, have long-lasting effects on honeybees, disrupting their energy metabolism and gut microbiome even when exposed as larvae
- Industrial agriculture practices force bees to mature too quickly, shortening their lifespans, while areas with more natural habitats help bees live longer and healthier lives
- You can help protect bees by avoiding neonicotinoids, supporting organic farming, creating pollinator-friendly spaces and choosing untreated plants for your garden
A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report on honeybee colonies reveals a troubling trend that could have far-reaching consequences for your food supply and the environment.1 Varroa mites have emerged as the primary threat to honeybee populations, affecting a staggering 54.8% of colonies during April through June 2024.
These parasitic mites weaken bees, making them more susceptible to diseases and reducing their ability to survive harsh conditions. The impact of varroa mites on your local ecosystem cannot be overstated, as they contribute significantly to colony losses and pose a severe challenge to beekeepers nationwide. Understanding the severity of this problem and others facing honeybees is crucial, as it directly affects pollination services essential for many crops you rely on daily.
Colony Collapse Disorder: A Persistent Threat
While there’s a glimmer of hope with a 34% decrease in colonies lost to colony collapse disorder (CCD) symptoms from January through March 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, the issue remains a significant concern.2 CCD, characterized by the sudden disappearance of adult bees from the hive, continues to puzzle researchers and beekeepers alike.
The loss of 70,650 colonies to CCD symptoms in just three months highlights the ongoing struggle to maintain healthy bee populations.3 This mysterious phenomenon not only impacts honey production but also threatens the pollination of countless plants in your garden and local ecosystem. The reduction in CCD cases is encouraging, but it’s clear that more research and preventive measures are needed to protect your food security and biodiversity.
The USDA report paints a picture of constant flux in honeybee populations, with significant losses and additions throughout the year. From January through March 2024, beekeepers lost 396,820 colonies, representing a 15% decline. However, they also added 404,100 colonies during the same period, barely offsetting the losses.
This cycle of loss and renewal underscores the challenges faced by beekeepers in maintaining stable populations. The highest number of colonies lost in 2023 was during April through June, with 378,190 colonies lost.4 Pesticides were also named as a leading stressor in about 10% of colonies from January through June.5
These fluctuations have a direct impact on your local agriculture and ecosystems, as they affect the availability of pollinators for crops and wild plants alike. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for appreciating the efforts required to sustain honeybee populations and the vital services they provide.
Neonicotinoids: A Silent Killer in Your Garden
Common pesticides in your garden are contributing to the alarming decline in honeybee populations. One study shed light on how neonicotinoids, particularly thiacloprid, have long-lasting effects on honeybees even when exposed during their larval stage.6 Thiacloprid, once considered less toxic to bees than other neonicotinoids, is now under scrutiny for its significant impact on bee health.
The research reveals that exposure to sublethal concentrations of thiacloprid during the larval phase leads to reduced survival rates in adult bees. The exposed bees showed increased sugar-water consumption without corresponding weight gain, suggesting a disruption in their energy metabolism.7
This means that bees exposed to thiacloprid as larvae struggle to maintain their energy balance as adults, impacting their ability to forage and contribute to the colony’s survival.
Gut Microbiome Is a Key Player in Bee Health
Your gut health is crucial for your overall well-being, and the same is true for honeybees. The study uncovered that early-life exposure to thiacloprid significantly alters the gut microbiota of adult honeybees.8 On the first day after emergence, bees exposed to thiacloprid showed a dramatic reduction in gut microbial diversity. This disruption in the delicate balance of beneficial bacteria could have far-reaching consequences for bee health.
A healthy gut microbiome plays vital roles in digestion, nutrient absorption, metabolism and immunity. By disturbing this ecosystem, thiacloprid indirectly weakens bees’ defenses against pathogens and reduces their ability to extract nutrients from their food efficiently.
While the study found that the microbial diversity seemed to stabilize by the sixth day after emergence, the initial disruption during a critical period of development could have lasting effects on the bees’ overall health and resilience.9
From Hive to Human: The Ripple Effect of Pesticide Use
You might wonder why the health of honeybees should matter to you. The answer lies in the intricate web of ecological relationships that sustain our food systems. Honeybees are primary pollinators, playing a crucial role in global ecosystems and agricultural biodiversity. Their decline doesn’t just mean less honey; it threatens the very foundations of our food security.
Even pesticides considered “less toxic” have long-term effects that disrupt the delicate balance of nature. When you use neonicotinoids in your garden or purchase produce grown with these pesticides, you’re unknowingly contributing to a chain reaction that weakens bee colonies.
This, in turn, affects crop yields and the overall health of our ecosystems. So, your individual actions, even at the level of choosing garden products, have far-reaching consequences for the environment and, ultimately, your own well-being.
The Hidden Toll of Industrial Agriculture on Honeybees
In intensive agricultural areas, honeybees also face a rollercoaster of feast and famine as crops bloom and wither. During food shortages between mass flowerings, researchers found that worker bees start foraging at a younger age — essentially growing up too fast.10 This premature maturation comes at a steep cost, shortening the bees’ overall lifespan.
By analyzing the life histories of over 1,035 individual bees across different landscapes, scientists uncovered how food scarcity pushes young bees to become foragers earlier than normal.11 While this helps the colony gather resources in the short-term, it means each worker bee lives a shorter life.
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Over time, this accelerated life cycle threatens the survival of entire colonies. The findings reveal an invisible toll that modern farming practices take on bee populations, even when the effects aren’t immediately obvious. Understanding these hidden stressors and embracing alternatives like regenerative agriculture are crucial for protecting the pollinators your food supply depends on.
A Lifeline in the Agricultural Desert
Amid the sea of cropland, patches of wilderness provide a vital refuge for bees. The study, published in Science of The Total Environment, found that areas with more semi-natural habitats like meadows, hedgerows and woodlands helped buffer honeybees against the harsh effects of food shortages.12 In landscapes with abundant natural areas, bees were able to delay foraging and live longer lives overall.
This protective effect was especially pronounced during times of scarcity between crop blooms. Bees with access to diverse wild plants maintained more normal life cycles, avoiding the premature aging seen in more barren agricultural zones.
These oases of biodiversity are critical for supporting pollinator health. Even small increases in natural habitat around farms could make a big difference for bee populations. By preserving and restoring these areas, you can help create a more hospitable environment for the bees that your food system relies on.
The Delicate Balance of a Bee’s Lifespan
The researchers uncovered an intriguing trade-off in bee development: workers that start foraging too early or too late tend to have shorter foraging careers overall. The sweet spot appears to be around 14 days old — bees that began foraging at this age had the longest productive lifespans as foragers.13
This delicate balance likely relates to the bees’ physiology. Those pushed to forage too young may not be physically ready for the demanding job. On the flip side, bees that delay foraging for too long may have limited time left in their natural lifespan. Understanding this optimal timing could help beekeepers and farmers better support healthy colonies.
The presence of diverse natural habitats seems to help bees hit this developmental “sweet spot” more often. By creating and supporting an environment that allows for more normal bee development, you can support more robust and resilient pollinator populations in your area.
Hope for Reversing Honeybee Decline
While the findings paint a sobering picture of honeybee health in many industrial agriculture landscapes, they also point to achievable solutions. The study showed that even modest increases in semi-natural habitat around crops have significant benefits for bee populations.14
Simple changes like planting hedgerows, establishing wildflower meadows or leaving some land fallow can make a big difference. These practices not only support bees but also provide habitat for other beneficial insects and wildlife. As a consumer, you can support these efforts by choosing products from small farms that prioritize biodiversity.
You can also create pollinator-friendly spaces in your own yard or community. By advocating for and implementing these changes, you have the power to help reverse the decline of bees and other crucial pollinators.
Take Action to Protect Bees and Your Health
Armed with this knowledge, you have the ability to make a difference. Start by avoiding the use of neonicotinoids and other synthetic pesticides in your own garden. Opt for organic, regenerative gardening methods and support small farmers who practice bee-friendly agriculture. When shopping for plants, ask nurseries if their plants have been treated with neonicotinoids and choose untreated options.
Remember, protecting bee health is ultimately about protecting your own health and the health of future generations. By making conscious choices, you’re not just helping to preserve bee populations; you’re also reducing your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
The research on how thiacloprid affects bee metabolism and gut health serves as a warning sign for human health as well. As you work to create a safer environment for bees, you’re also creating a healthier world for yourself and your loved ones. Every small action counts in the fight to preserve our pollinators and ensure a truly sustainable future for all.
Colony Renovation and Conservation Efforts
Meanwhile, despite the challenges, there are signs of proactive measures being taken to strengthen honeybee populations. Colony renovation is a one technique used by beekeepers to maintain and improve the health and productivity of their honeybee colonies.
This process typically involves one of two main approaches: requeening or introducing new bees. Requeening is the practice of replacing an existing queen bee with a new, often younger and more vigorous queen. This helps improve the colony’s genetics, increase egg-laying rates and enhance disease resistance.
Alternatively, beekeepers may introduce new bees through nucleus colonies (small, starter colonies) or packages (boxes containing worker bees and a queen). These methods allow beekeepers to strengthen weak colonies, replace lost bees or start entirely new hives.
By regularly renovating their colonies, beekeepers address issues such as declining populations, poor queen performance or genetic weaknesses, ultimately ensuring the long-term viability and productivity of their apiaries.
According to the USDA report, from April through June 2024, 521,790 colonies were renovated, representing 19% of the total.15 This process helps maintain genetic diversity and colony health, important factors in building resilience against threats like varroa mites and diseases.
As a consumer and member of your local community, supporting these conservation efforts through informed choices and advocacy makes a significant difference. By understanding the importance of these renovation efforts, you contribute to the long-term sustainability of honeybee populations and the ecosystems they support.
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 15 USDA, Honey Bee Colonies August 1, 2024
- 5 U.S. Right to Know August 1, 2024
- 6, 7, 8, 9 Genes (Basel). 2024 Aug; 15(8): 1001
- 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Science of The Total Environment November 10, 2024, Volume 950, 175309
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
