Bee Gone, Why Are the Bees Disappearing?

Did you know that bees can communicate through dancing? They perform a “waggle

dance” to tell other bees where to find food sources. But beyond their cuteness, bees play a vital role in our ecosystem because they’re responsible for pollinating nearly one-third of the food we eat, from nuts to fruits.  In recent years, however, scientists have discovered a very concerning trend: bee populations are rapidly declining due to pesticides, habitat loss, climate change, and other factors. 

I recently spoke with my family friend, Carlos Lopez, who has spent the past few years caring for his own hives and harvesting honey. I learned more about his experience and what happened when his bees mysteriously disappeared. Carlos lives in Massachusetts and began beekeeping in 2020 after taking a local course on beekeeping.  When COVID hit later that year, beekeeping quickly became a major focus in his life. What started as a simple hobby soon turned into a rewarding practice that brought him peace and purpose.

His beehive that is in his backyard!

Carlos admits that he didn’t fully understand the impact bees have on the environment until he experienced it firsthand. After years of his backyard cherry tree not bearing fruit, it began to flourish once he started keeping bees, a reminder of the crucial role these small creatures play in nature. Unfortunately, his hives didn’t always survive. “I keep two hives,” he said. “In my second year, I lost one just before winter, and this year I lost another.” Carlos speculates that he lost his bees because of the combination of pests and aggressive wasps that had been particularly active this year.  His experience reflects how unpredictable and fragile bee populations can be, mirroring the larger struggles beekeepers and ecosystems face today. Around the world, bee populations are continuing to decline at an alarming rate. Scientists warn that the loss of bees would not only be devastating for the environment but for humankind as well. Bees are responsible

for pollinating crops worth nearly $200 billion each year, and without them, fruits, vegetables, and nuts would become scarce and unaffordable.

So what can be done? Experts say that individuals can make a difference by planting native flowers, avoiding chemical pesticides, and supporting local beekeepers. Some native flowers from Carmel are the California Poppy, the California Buckwheat, and the Coastal Bush Lupine. Buying local honey not only helps sustain bee populations but may also benefit your immune system by exposing you to small amounts of local pollen, which can help reduce allergies over time. Here in California there are lots of local beekeepers that are utilizing bee friendly farming to produce honey, for example Carmel Honey Company! So by taking small steps like these we can all come together and protect these vital pollinators.