Bees dying at an alarming rate

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Bees dying at an alarming rate

3News NZ

Cellphone wavelengths are also proving damaging to bees

Cellphone wavelengths are also proving damaging to bees

The varroa mite is already threatening bees in New Zealand, and some beekeepers believe a new threat might be about to make things much worse.

Auckland beekeeper Kerry McCurdy has over 300 bees, and says his bees are dying at an alarming rate from what he believes is colony collapse disorder.

“We lost 40 hives out of 50, so we have 10 live hives left out of 50.  We tested five of those yesterday with Agrisure, and of the five each had an individual problem,” he says.

“We may or may not have colony collapse disorder, but we do have serious issues.”

Mr McCurdy says cellphone wavelengths are also proving damaging for bees.

Watch the video for Firstline’s full interview with Kerry McCurdy

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Comments

12/09/2012 2:56:09 p.m.

Mike wrote:

We also have the over reaction by parents that think any bee sting is life threatening.

Thank the media for that.

Yes people can die from bee stings, but the number of stings is generally quite high to kill someone. Now if you have any swelling, everyone thinks they need an Epi-Pen as it may be fatal. Take a knock on something, may get some swelling on an arm or something, so may even need an Epi-Pen for that!

Bee stings while can hurt, and will generally cause some swelling and are almost never fatal. Typically someone needs to step on a hive to get towards the number of stings that could be fatal. Mostly your looking at hundreds of stings to get to this level. Domesticated bees are fairly docile, so even if you opened a bee hive without beekeeper gear your not likely to get stung unless you agrivate bees. Many beekeepers actually do this as its perfectly safe in most conditions. That and beekeeping gear is hot and uncomfortable to wear in summer temperatures. Crush a bee, and they tend to sting. Panic, and bees are more likely to sting as when someone panics it releases pheromones which the bees will target.

12/09/2012 10:36:46 a.m.

Denise wrote:

Ask Bayer to remove the neonicotinoids from their sprays!! It really should be considered as genocide for such a critically endangered species. And how about some awareness with the average public who are terrified of Bees, I don't think anyone except a Beekeeper really understands what truly lovable gentle insects they are, if they haven't been Africanised. I have seen children run for the flyspray at the sight of a little bee! Shame on parents for their lack of education. How about this, it takes one Bee their whole life to make i/2 tsp honey. Stop and think before you stomp and spray!!!