Help! It's a bee apocalypse in my backyard

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Help! It's a bee apocalypse in my backyard

Posted by chantal on July 24, 2008 at 9:39am in General Discussion

Does anyone know if the City sprayed for mosquitoes or aphids or something yesterday near Ridgecrest? My god, it's a bee apocalypse in my backyard this morning where thousands of dead bees are piled in front of the hive and thousands more are crawling on the ground as they twitch towards death. Talk about a beekeeper's nightmare.

I'm being a drama queen about it, but it's a total bee catastrophe.

Other local beekeepers tell me that apparently this can happen when someone conducts a pesticide campaign nearby. Does anyone in Fringecrest or from the Env. Health dept have more info?

(Commenters, please be kind. I'm actually really sad about this. You can't imagine how terrible it is to see thousands of the critters you're trying to care for dying en masse.)

Tags: bees, colony collapse disorder

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by dog breath on July 25, 2008 at 7:30am: Well that's very sweet. ..like honey (oops...)

At least you found a contact @ NMSU hopefully he will be helpful.

Ooh... are there any hummingbird feeders around? if so... check them to make sure they are not overgrown with mold/fungus!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jacqui Lewnes on July 24, 2008 at 6:53pm: My condolences for your bee babies.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris on July 24, 2008 at 8:11pm: Try contacting Rey Garduno your City Councilman
Phone 768-3100
email reygarduno@cabq.gov
I think this is something that he might be able to help solve. I live on the Western Fringe and have been spending a lot of time in the front yard with a new puppy. While we were out earlier I actually say a bee fall out of the air. I'll check tomorrow to see if the bees are as thick as normal on the grape ivy on the back of the house. It might not be something that the city did it might have been the bases.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by chantal on July 24, 2008 at 9:59pm: Heh, heh, so here's something for levity. When drones (males) inseminate a queen, they do so high in the sky. Once business time is over, the drone dies and plunges to the ground.

They fly in what is called a "drone zone," a space 30-60 feet above the ground. When a virgin queen reaches the zone, the drones are attracted to her by a scent produced in her mandibular glands. At the time of mating the genitalia of the drone explodes, separating from him, and he dies. - From Backyard Hive

So while you may have seen poisoned bees falling from the sky, you also may have seen a drone who just finished the job.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shawne on July 24, 2008 at 10:12pm: Oh, if only certain human drones were so easily and poetically taken out.

Sorry about your hive, Chantal. I hope you get some answers soon.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris on July 25, 2008 at 6:21am: I like that. Enough said.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sarah Anonymous on July 24, 2008 at 8:53pm: Chantal this sounds so awful. I hope you keep posting.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sarah Anonymous on July 24, 2008 at 9:26pm: possibly your local neighborhood association may know something.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by LaMaia on July 25, 2008 at 12:55am: That's so horrible! I hope some part of your hive can survive.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by chantal on July 25, 2008 at 6:30am: Well this morning is more of the same. While I was certain there were no bees left yesterday, half of my garden is crawling with freshly dying bees this morning. Others are buzzing near the hive and I'm not sure if they're robber bees or a few of mine remaining.

Thanks everyone for being so sweet about it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sarah Anonymous on July 25, 2008 at 7:42am: this so horridly macabre- but I did find a few interesting articles to read. Has anyone human around you been sick? Ie chest congestion, more spit/mucus/tears/sweat than normal, droopy eyelids, or sort of constricted pupils?

Here are some interesting articles, I think you will like the first one (if you haven't read it already)
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/pnw/pnw591.pdf
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714202512.htm
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12150_12220-27249--,...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Gemini Goddess on July 25, 2008 at 7:29am: I am so sorry about your bees...I hope you figure out what the hell is going on!; ▶ Reply to This