My fruit trees are in full bloom, but silence reigns in them. While there are a few bumblebees, there are virtually no honeybees. I spotted but one.
The experts keep talking about the decline of honeybees due to a mite infecting the hives. From my observations, it must be true. Sadly, it's not just fruit trees that need nature's little pollinators. I've noticed in the past few years, my melon and squash crops have suffered. Last year, the blueberry farm down the road from me had to close up early--very small crop. A late freeze may have had something to do with it, but I suspect a diminished honeybee population was the culprit.
I'll be keeping an eye out for our little helpers this spring and let you know if they're making a comeback.

Comments:

Have seen a few straggly bees around this spring--not many. The cost
of food is really gonna go thru the roof when plants have to be
pollinated by hand.

Can you buy some on line and move them in? It is amazing how much we rely on those creatures that people fear so much. I will hope for a better population of bees for you and us all.

I haven't seen any bees this year at all, just gobs of wasps. Ugh.

comment by elderjane on Apr 30, 2008 6:07 AM ()

Nor, I suspect, will you (see any). I'm saddened.

reply by solitaire on Apr 30, 2008 2:11 PM ()

I didn't notice many bees last summer, but had a perfectly normal crop anyway. When the apple and crabapple trees are in bloom, there are so many "bugs" on them, I'm scared too get too close! They appeared to be all hornets or wasps, not bees.

comment by imaginaryfriend on Apr 29, 2008 7:31 PM ()

Just remember, they're all our friends. Well, maybe not all--like mosquitoes and flies!

reply by solitaire on Apr 30, 2008 2:09 PM ()

comment by hayduke on Apr 29, 2008 9:00 AM ()

And the connection is.....? Anyway, I like 'em both.

reply by solitaire on Apr 30, 2008 2:07 PM ()

This is most disheartening! We need those little bees. The other day I was sitting in the sun with the windows of my car down and a bunch of them came in.. It scared me, but I opened the door and they flew out, but more flew in... I'm not sure what this has to do with anything you're discussing here. We do need the honeybees!

comment by sunlight on Apr 28, 2008 8:55 PM ()

Let's just hope your bees weren't of the "killer" variety! I think California has been spared of the mite problem thus far.

reply by solitaire on Apr 29, 2008 7:32 AM ()

comment by looserobes on Apr 28, 2008 7:34 AM ()

I don't know if honeybee decimation has hit Utah or not. I just know it's a problem in the Midwest.

reply by solitaire on Apr 29, 2008 7:29 AM ()

comment by hobbie on Apr 28, 2008 5:58 AM ()

It's really old "news" (oxymoron), but since I'm personally affected, I decided to reiterate it. Thanks for stopping by.

reply by solitaire on Apr 29, 2008 7:26 AM ()