The mysterious disappearance of honey bees around the world has experts perplexed and a bit worried.
It’s easy to take the little guys for granted, but it is estimated one-third of the food we eat is pollinated by honeybees. In 2006, beekeepers began noticing higher-than-normal losses, between 30 to 90-percent in their hives. Now, new data suggests the problem is getting worse.
Researchers have some suspicions, but are largely baffled by the mystery they’ve labeled “Colony Collapse Disorder.” State Apiarist Elizabeth Meils says the specific causes are still unknown, with theories ranging from pesticides used around hives to possible bacteria or viral causes.
DATCP is preparing to conduct their annual spring survey of beekeepers, and they’re curious to see how Wisconsin’s bees handled the winter. Meils says some Wisconsin hives did exhibit signs of CCD in 2008, and winter mortality rates were extremely high in 2006. Although, she says last year was pretty normal.
AUDIO: Paul Knoff reports (1:35)