Comments on: Introduction http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/silence-of-the-bees/introduction/38/ The premier natural history series Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:59:55 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jimmy Nightingale http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/silence-of-the-bees/introduction/38/comment-page-2/#comment-15842 Jimmy Nightingale Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:34:50 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/2008/06/02/introduction-2/#comment-15842 A few posters have suggested that wi-fi and cellphone towers and/or the change in the Earth's magnetic field may have something to do with declining bee populations worldwide. Australian bee populations haven't experienced the decline occuring in the US and elsewhere and the big difference is the absence of Israeli acute paralysis virus and the parasitic honey bee tracheal mite here. I've referenced a paper on the former below: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/sci;318/5848/283 Given that we rely on bees to pollinate about one-third of the crops/vegetables/fruits that end up on our dining table, we do need to be proactive in finding a solution. I'm aware that Australia has been exporting bees to the US, China and Europe and being used to populate irradiated hives in these countries. This is good, but ultimately we need to eradicate the virus and the mite causing the problems. I'd hate to think what would happen if these two vectors ever managed to get a toehold in Australia. A few posters have suggested that wi-fi and cellphone towers and/or the change in the Earth’s magnetic field may have something to do with declining bee populations worldwide. Australian bee populations haven’t experienced the decline occuring in the US and elsewhere and the big difference is the absence of Israeli acute paralysis virus and the parasitic honey bee tracheal mite here. I’ve referenced a paper on the former below:

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/sci;318/5848/283

Given that we rely on bees to pollinate about one-third of the crops/vegetables/fruits that end up on our dining table, we do need to be proactive in finding a solution. I’m aware that Australia has been exporting bees to the US, China and Europe and being used to populate irradiated hives in these countries. This is good, but ultimately we need to eradicate the virus and the mite causing the problems.

I’d hate to think what would happen if these two vectors ever managed to get a toehold in Australia.

]]> By: Silence of the Bees Hits Home in Hawaii | The Buzz Blog http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/silence-of-the-bees/introduction/38/comment-page-2/#comment-12954 Silence of the Bees Hits Home in Hawaii | The Buzz Blog Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:55:29 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/2008/06/02/introduction-2/#comment-12954 [...] (We don’t have the mite as of this writing.) We recently watched the re-broadcast of Silence of the Bees on Nature on PBS. It really is a great overview of what is happening with the Bees right now and [...] [...] (We don’t have the mite as of this writing.) We recently watched the re-broadcast of Silence of the Bees on Nature on PBS. It really is a great overview of what is happening with the Bees right now and [...]

]]> By: Jim http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/silence-of-the-bees/introduction/38/comment-page-2/#comment-12787 Jim Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:47:43 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/2008/06/02/introduction-2/#comment-12787 I feel we as consumers should give up honey for 5 years so the bees can eat food meant for them. Hey they're stressed enough as it is. I feel we as consumers should give up honey for 5 years so the bees can eat food meant for them. Hey they’re stressed enough as it is.

]]> By: Dezire http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/silence-of-the-bees/introduction/38/comment-page-2/#comment-12768 Dezire Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:38:33 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/2008/06/02/introduction-2/#comment-12768 although i really don't like bees i know they play a very big part in our world. they help so that more flowers grow. and if you are like me and don't like bees but want to help them here are some tips. it's good to plant flowers out side your house but far away from you as posible. i also notice that if you take some honey or peanut butter and spread it on the grass they come in and eat that too. although i really don’t like bees i know they play a very big part in our world. they help so that more flowers grow. and if you are like me and don’t like bees but want to help them here are some tips.
it’s good to plant flowers out side your house but far away from you as posible.
i also notice that if you take some honey or peanut butter and spread it on the grass they come in and eat that too.

]]> By: rubyquail http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/silence-of-the-bees/introduction/38/comment-page-2/#comment-12729 rubyquail Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:42:38 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/2008/06/02/introduction-2/#comment-12729 I've noticed over the last month that the bees are eating the dog food like crazy. They just don't have any flowers? I leave water out for them, but they are attracted to dog food. I’ve noticed over the last month that the bees are eating the dog food like crazy. They just don’t have any flowers? I leave water out for them, but they are attracted to dog food.

]]> By: Ask “Silence of the Bees” Expert Dr. Diana Cox-Foster « team eco.nomics – Attitude Center http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/silence-of-the-bees/introduction/38/comment-page-2/#comment-12719 Ask “Silence of the Bees” Expert Dr. Diana Cox-Foster « team eco.nomics – Attitude Center Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:32:45 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/2008/06/02/introduction-2/#comment-12719 [...] have all the honeybees gone? An episode of NATURE called “Silence of the Bees” takes us all over the world to ask scientists that very question. Since the winter of 2006, [...] [...] have all the honeybees gone? An episode of NATURE called “Silence of the Bees” takes us all over the world to ask scientists that very question. Since the winter of 2006, [...]

]]> By: Boo Boo Pie http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/silence-of-the-bees/introduction/38/comment-page-2/#comment-12682 Boo Boo Pie Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:15:50 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/2008/06/02/introduction-2/#comment-12682 Interesting documentary, but I was disappointed to hear towards the end that genetically modified bees may be the only solution to the problem. Don't get me wrong, I love african bees, but i love diversity more. i don't want to see the extinction of *any* bee species. why are we looking for the "one" cause of the disorder and not taking action based on what we've already found out? If there are multiple problems causing the suppression of bee immune systems, isn't that enough to address to begin with? Maybe taking some straws off the camels back will help the camel survive under the weight of the "one"? I vote for bee diversity. Interesting documentary, but I was disappointed to hear towards the end that genetically modified bees may be the only solution to the problem. Don’t get me wrong, I love african bees, but i love diversity more. i don’t want to see the extinction of *any* bee species. why are we looking for the “one” cause of the disorder and not taking action based on what we’ve already found out? If there are multiple problems causing the suppression of bee immune systems, isn’t that enough to address to begin with? Maybe taking some straws off the camels back will help the camel survive under the weight of the “one”? I vote for bee diversity.

]]> By: Joyce Day Guy http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/silence-of-the-bees/introduction/38/comment-page-2/#comment-12653 Joyce Day Guy Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:44:08 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/2008/06/02/introduction-2/#comment-12653 I love Bees. I love Honey Bees. I lived and managed an apt complex in Arkansas & I used to purchase Bee- Alive Honey Products & Royal Jelly from this company in 1994 so had some in my refridgerator. Seeing a bee on the ledge seemingly die from its 28 days of work or what, I was prompted to go get some Royal Jelly ( cold or not) and put some by its little mouth area. After the shaking quit of chills, it got up slowly and began doing a cross walk of back & forth movements to probably direct itself back or however they find you again. I then saw a spider coming after it so I picked it up in the spoon and it of course let me as it was near more jelly, to which I sat it on the Mum Plant I had.It took off approximately 10 minutes later and more came back with it that afternoon. The moral of this story is I love bees. I had a similar story here in Ok this spring. By feeding one little dying bee some sugar water, no Royal Jelly this time, I sat that slow walking little bee on the spoon and put it near the bowl of sugar water. Thinking I had done my best to save it's life I came inside forgetting about it. About 4:30 when my husband went out to feed our dog there were over 1,000 bees swarming that bowl and spoon to which he was a bit disgruntled at me as he could have been stung. I said, "Oh No, they love me and know this is an offering of love." To which I went out and moved the bowl near the garage and most of them followed and soon all were pretty much moved. Oh I forgot to mention the entire bunch was back the next day wanting more sugar water...and thus I did give them two bowls....but a little further from our back door. I live out in the country and my mom used to have two Supers and we all enjoyed that part of the farm life. I still do but rent now so can't harvest honey without owning a home where I can care for them. I do not know why most of the Bees are leaving or dying however I do believe it has something to do with the current process of pesticides, and chemicals in our current foods where by many may swarm trash cans, flowers that have been sprayed. I also noted a film of sorts or fungas growing on the bees dead bodies. We had a whole hive here at our back door in an old elm tree that is over 75 years old and the hum was so loud I got it on video camera. Then we had a drove of Big Black Carpenter Ants which invaded the tree. Which in no time at all, less than a month, all the bees were being found dead on our porch and at the bottom of the tree areas. Either they brought a disease to them or they had some form of way of killing them with a virus or fungus. I do not know but they all died out in less than a month. I was so sad. Then our landlord came and sprayed with the strongest poison available for the embedded Scorpions under the house and all around it. We were being invaded by them as well. It has shown us something is out of kilter with the animal kingdom here for one reason or more. The bees relocated and come back with I put out sugar water. We have good ecology here now because we also have Hummingbirds, Swallows, Cardinals, Blue Jays, House Wrens, Mocking birds, Bluebirds living in my gourd and we buy good quality song bird feed. We like to see checks and balances in our yard and all working together for Gods blessings in our lives of Nature. God bless you for your work and may you see, hopefully a clue through some of this here in the countryside of Davis, OK where nature may be trying to come back to "Balance City." Sincerely yours, Joyce Day Guy, Minister I love Bees. I love Honey Bees. I lived and managed an apt complex in Arkansas & I used to purchase Bee- Alive Honey Products & Royal Jelly from this company in 1994 so had some in my refridgerator. Seeing a bee on the ledge seemingly die from its 28 days of work or what, I was prompted to go get some Royal Jelly ( cold or not) and put some by its little mouth area. After the shaking quit of chills, it got up slowly and began doing a cross walk of back & forth movements to probably direct itself back or however they find you again. I then saw a spider coming after it so I picked it up in the spoon and it of course let me as it was near more jelly, to which I sat it on the Mum Plant I had.It took off approximately 10 minutes later and more came back with it that afternoon. The moral of this story is I love bees. I had a similar story here in Ok this spring. By feeding one little dying bee some sugar water, no Royal Jelly this time, I sat that slow walking little bee on the spoon and put it near the bowl of sugar water. Thinking I had done my best to save it’s life I came inside forgetting about it. About 4:30 when my husband went out to feed our dog there were over 1,000 bees swarming that bowl and spoon to which he was a bit disgruntled at me as he could have been stung. I said, “Oh No, they love me and know this is an offering of love.” To which I went out and moved the bowl near the garage and most of them followed and soon all were pretty much moved.
Oh I forgot to mention the entire bunch was back the next day wanting more sugar water…and thus I did give them two bowls….but a little further from our back door. I live out in the country and my mom used to have two Supers and we all enjoyed that part of the farm life. I still do but rent now so can’t harvest honey without owning a home where I can care for them. I do not know why most of the Bees are leaving or dying however I do believe it has something to do with the current process of pesticides, and chemicals in our current foods where by many may swarm trash cans, flowers that have been sprayed. I also noted a film of sorts or fungas growing on the bees dead bodies. We had a whole hive here at our back door in an old elm tree that is over 75 years old and the hum was so loud I got it on video camera. Then we had a drove of Big Black Carpenter Ants which invaded the tree. Which in no time at all, less than a month, all the bees were being found dead on our porch and at the bottom of the tree areas. Either they brought a disease to them or they had some form of way of killing them with a virus or fungus. I do not know but they all died out in less than a month. I was so sad. Then our landlord came and sprayed with the strongest poison available for the embedded Scorpions under the house and all around it. We were being invaded by them as well. It has shown us something is out of kilter with the animal kingdom here for one reason or more. The bees relocated and come back with I put out sugar water. We have good ecology here now because we also have Hummingbirds, Swallows, Cardinals, Blue Jays, House Wrens, Mocking birds, Bluebirds living in my gourd and we buy good quality song bird feed. We like to see checks and balances in our yard and all working together for Gods blessings in our lives of Nature. God bless you for your work and may you see, hopefully a clue through some of this here in the countryside of Davis, OK where nature may be trying to come back to “Balance City.” Sincerely yours, Joyce Day Guy, Minister

]]> By: V Hart http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/silence-of-the-bees/introduction/38/comment-page-2/#comment-12510 V Hart Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:41:47 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/2008/06/02/introduction-2/#comment-12510 Hey Mel, accourding to the documentary regarding ccd is that both wild and kept are some what effected. They have narrowed it down to a Virus, plus the fact of Chemicals, pollution, and even diet play a role in all bee's. It actually has been traced to bees from Australia, which in 06 with the USA decline in bee's we got replacements from Australia. The bee's had traces of the virus but it wasn't totally conclusive at the time of this documentary. Anyways I can't wait to harvest my honey.... Bee healthy eat your honey. Hey Mel, accourding to the documentary regarding ccd is that both wild and kept are some what effected. They have narrowed it down to a Virus, plus the fact of Chemicals, pollution, and even diet play a role in all bee’s. It actually has been traced to bees from Australia, which in 06 with the USA decline in bee’s we got replacements from Australia. The bee’s had traces of the virus but it wasn’t totally conclusive at the time of this documentary.
Anyways I can’t wait to harvest my honey….
Bee healthy eat your honey.

]]> By: The buzz about Colony Collapse Disorder - The Armchair Ecologist http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/silence-of-the-bees/introduction/38/comment-page-2/#comment-12475 The buzz about Colony Collapse Disorder - The Armchair Ecologist Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:29:05 +0000 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/2008/06/02/introduction-2/#comment-12475 [...] giving it away, I recommend you visit PBS.org for updates on the topic and even the chance to watch an episode. It is very educational and [...] [...] giving it away, I recommend you visit PBS.org for updates on the topic and even the chance to watch an episode. It is very educational and [...]

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