1. Save the Bees!Save the Bees!

2. Daniel Payne
• Part time Beekeeper with 5+ years experience
• Produced 400 lbs. honey in Spring 2010 with
12 colonies
• I use NO synthetic chemicals to control pests
• No known cases of Colony Collapse Disorder

4. Why are we here today?
To help SAVE the Honey
Bee!

5. Why is the Honey bee Important?
◦ Honey bees pollinate about 100 Crops and fruit
we consume everyday.
◦ About 1 out 3 bites of food we take was
pollinated by a honey bee.
◦ There aren’t enough natural pollinators to do
the job of the honey bee. Honey bees do
approx. ¼ of all pollination at an estimated
value of $10 Billion dollars per year.

9. What is happening to the Bees?
◦ Pests
 Vorroa Mites and Mite Control Chemicals
 African Small Hive Beetle
 Tracheal Mite
 Nosema / Dysentary
◦ Chemicals
 Insecticides – Neonicotinoids
 Genetically modified Crops – BT Corn

10. Vorroa Mite

11. African Small Hive Beetle

12. BT Corn

13. All these factors seem to work together in
synergy to produce Colony Collapse !

14. How serious is colony collapse and how
wide spread is it?
◦ Some Large commercial Beekeepers are
experiencing 50 – 70% Losses.
◦ Some are only experiencing the normal 30%
losses, but their bees are in poor shape.
◦ It seems to vary by location and by year.

15. What can you do to help?

16. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BEES
Buy Local Honey!
Buy Texas Honey!
Buy American Honey!
◦ Check the Country of origin label.
◦ Check the Ingredients.
Beware of Imitation Honey!

17. Use Chemicals Wisely!
In you lawn or garden use chemicals
sparingly.
Follow directions.
Never assume “More is Better.”
Consider alternatives to harsh chemicals.
Remember that the chemicals you
spray on your lawn will eventually
make their way into your drinking
water!

18. Consider a bee garden!

19. Bee Garden Tips
Plant Flowers – Plant a large variety with
varying blooming periods.
Plant vegetables and fruits.
Let natural plants, “weeds,” grow in your
bee garden.
Do a web search for “bee plants.”
http://www.helpthehoneybees.com/#help
garden

20. Do Not Plant Yellow Jessamine

21. Review
Bees are in Trouble.
Buy American Made Honey.
Be careful with chemicals.
Plant bee friendly plants.