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Stinging Reality …

Aug 05, 2018 01:55AM ● By Annette Briggs (Owner/Publisher)

Happy August! Many say, and I believe it to be true, that having an informative conversation about the “birds and the bees” can be quite difficult and, frankly, pretty awkward—been there, done that! Well, don’t worry and breathe easy, I promise that my reflective thoughts to follow are not about how to effectively parent and engage kids and teens ravaged by body-snatching hormones that seem to take their brains hostage. No, no conversation about the birds and the bees, it’s just the bees this month!

Saturday, August 18, is officially recognized as National Honey Bee Day. And if you ask the average person, “What are your thoughts about bees?” the majority of the answers would involve painful stories (literally) of unfortunate, and certainly regrettable, encounters with them. The perceived fear and trepidation, and even stigmatized phobia, associated with bees can, and often does, drive fictitious misconceptions and fuel unwarranted hysteria. Now to be clear, it is important to practice safety and preventive measures when in the proximity of bees or when handling them. That said, there is more to bees than just their sting—much more!

According to research, the bee (in particular the honey bee) is vital to the sustainability of the Earth’s ecosystems and food supply chains. In the U.S., bee pollination, directly or indirectly, accounts for nearly one-third of all the food we eat. Bee pollination is critical to the harvesting success of countless crops, including apples, cantaloupe, cucumbers, blueberries, almonds, carrot seed, melons, and many more. And, of course, much can be said about the honey produced by bees as well. Let’s talk dollars. Studies reveal that bee pollination is estimated to be worth approximately $15 billion to the U.S. farming industry.

This next fact may sting a little bit (pun intended): Bee populations are sadly declining to our peril. There are various reasons for the decline; however, one that is as preventable as it is damaging is the use (or misuse) of pesticides. Unfortunately, bees pick up pesticide and insecticide dust and residue in nectar and pollen and bring the poison back to the hive. This weakens the bees’ immune system, making them more susceptible to parasites—ultimately resulting in their death.

The takeaway is that we need to do more to protect our bee populations. Please consider getting engaged and involved by joining a bee association or club (yes, they exist!), or by simply adopting more sustainable practices—and ultimately a lifestyle—that support bees.

Sincerely,

Annette Briggs

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