Q&A: How to save our disappearing bees
By Jenny Yuen, Toronto Sun
First posted: Saturday, March 05, 2016 04:04 PM EST | Updated: Saturday, March 05, 2016 04:19 PM EST
The bee population isn’t buzzing as well as it should be in Canada.
In fact, a staggering 38% of Ontario bee colonies didn’t survive last winter.
Renowned U.S. entomologist Marla Spivak will be in Toronto on Tuesday and Wednesday to speak about the problem.
Q: How serious is this problem in Toronto?
“Bees are in trouble and not just in Toronto. In the United States, every year, on average, 30% of all honeybee colonies die. And in Canada, the average is slightly less, but some years, Canadian beekeepers are suffering huge losses of honeybee colonies.
Q: Why are bees important?
“These are the most important pollinators of our fruits, vegetables and indirectly to cattle, like alfalfa hay, that support our dairy and beef industry. With a lack of bees there would be a lack of produce ... or would be more expensive or wouldn’t taste as good.”
Q: Why are the bees dying?
“Bees have their own diseases and parasites, so that’s one of the factors. We know that those things alone can kill colonies. We also know insecticides kill bees ... That alone cannot explain all the deaths. The main thing I think is the lack of habitats. Bees eat these flowers. So just like us, if they’re malnourished, there’s a downward spiral that happens with their immune systems and ability to detoxify pesticides.”
Q: Are there specific flowers Canadians should be planting?
“There are lists of flowers that bees just love. Bees really need flowers that bloom over the growing season. Most things in the legumes and mints ... you basically stand in front of flowers on a warm, sunny day and if you see bees on them, plant more of those.”
Q: What do you think of Toronto Councillor Michelle Holland pushing for Toronto to become the first Bee City in Canada (essentially a public commitment to create “sustainable pollinator habitats”)?
“I’m proud of Toronto, that’s a great idea. There are some cities, especially in Minnesota where I live, that are becoming bee friendly and are advocating a lot of planting of flowers and a lot of education about the importance of bees and this is just a wonderful opportunity to see the benefit of bees and do something to help them.”
Q&A: How to save our disappearing bees | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun
By Jenny Yuen, Toronto Sun
First posted: Saturday, March 05, 2016 04:04 PM EST | Updated: Saturday, March 05, 2016 04:19 PM EST
The bee population isn’t buzzing as well as it should be in Canada.
In fact, a staggering 38% of Ontario bee colonies didn’t survive last winter.
Renowned U.S. entomologist Marla Spivak will be in Toronto on Tuesday and Wednesday to speak about the problem.
Q: How serious is this problem in Toronto?
“Bees are in trouble and not just in Toronto. In the United States, every year, on average, 30% of all honeybee colonies die. And in Canada, the average is slightly less, but some years, Canadian beekeepers are suffering huge losses of honeybee colonies.
Q: Why are bees important?
“These are the most important pollinators of our fruits, vegetables and indirectly to cattle, like alfalfa hay, that support our dairy and beef industry. With a lack of bees there would be a lack of produce ... or would be more expensive or wouldn’t taste as good.”
Q: Why are the bees dying?
“Bees have their own diseases and parasites, so that’s one of the factors. We know that those things alone can kill colonies. We also know insecticides kill bees ... That alone cannot explain all the deaths. The main thing I think is the lack of habitats. Bees eat these flowers. So just like us, if they’re malnourished, there’s a downward spiral that happens with their immune systems and ability to detoxify pesticides.”
Q: Are there specific flowers Canadians should be planting?
“There are lists of flowers that bees just love. Bees really need flowers that bloom over the growing season. Most things in the legumes and mints ... you basically stand in front of flowers on a warm, sunny day and if you see bees on them, plant more of those.”
Q: What do you think of Toronto Councillor Michelle Holland pushing for Toronto to become the first Bee City in Canada (essentially a public commitment to create “sustainable pollinator habitats”)?
“I’m proud of Toronto, that’s a great idea. There are some cities, especially in Minnesota where I live, that are becoming bee friendly and are advocating a lot of planting of flowers and a lot of education about the importance of bees and this is just a wonderful opportunity to see the benefit of bees and do something to help them.”
Q&A: How to save our disappearing bees | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun
