U.S. beekeepers lose 4 of every 10 managed colonies last year

This year, Swaney lost five of 15 hives. He attributes the loss to mites, starvation and colony collapse disorder, when the majority of worker bees in a colony disappear. Scientists “are really not sure what causes” colony collapse disorder, Swaney said: “They’ll just decide not to be there anymore. The ants or mites come in, and the bees will see that as a threat and will leave right away.” Another problem contributing to the decline is the lack of food for bees, Swaney said. A large amount of land in the Crossroads is turned into pasture by farmers and ranchers who take away flowers. He said he doesn’t blame farmers and ranchers for growing their businesses, but they should wait to prepare their land for planting after the flowers bloom...MORE