Aum Amriteshwaryai Namah
Towards the end of April, our bees are starting to venture outside the hive to gather pollen and nectar. Nigama and I made a syrup out of hot water and sugar so that we could offer the bees a post-winter snack. We added a feeding stimulant called Honey-B-Healthy that is composed of lemon grass and spearmint essential oils. It helps boost the bees' health in times when nectar sources are low (like spring).
When we got out to the hive we noticed that one hive was extraordinarily active. A cloud of workers buzzed about the entrance and many of them were re-entering the hive with large packets of pollen gathered on their legs. This is a sign that they are feeding young larvae. The video below documents this well, and even includes some bold appearances by bees who might be trying to catch a break in front of the camera. :)
The other hive was cause for concern, as we did not see the same robust activity. In fact, there did not seem to be any bees flying around the entrance. When we opened the hive, there was just a grapefruit-sized cluster of bees inside. We felt they were too fragile to start removing frames and checking for new larvae or the presence of a queen. We did notice that there is a lot of honey, so the problem is not lack of food. We will continue to think about and research next steps. In the meantime, your prayers for the health of this hive are much appreciated.
It was an emotional event. Speaking for myself, in caring for these bees, I have felt a deep bond form. When I come to the ashram and I feel sad, a visit out to the hives to connect with the energy of the bees transforms me. Seeing one of our hives in a weakened state got me thinking about the bigger picture of the health of bees. All over the world, they are dying.
In Canada, it is becoming more difficult each winter for bees to make it through. The average survival rate used to be about 5 to 15%. In the winter of 2006-7, there was a dramatic increase when about 36% of bee colonies across the country died. Since then, it has hovered at about that same number. In the US and Europe, they are seeing an even more disturbing phenomenon called colony collapse disorder. Beekeepers open their hives and find that the bees are simply and suddenly gone.
Why are our bees dying? Researchers have been looking at two things in particular: infestations by mites who have become resistant to pesticides and climate change -- especially longer, colder winters.
The cooperation between humans and bees goes back 10,000 years when humans began to cultivate bees for honey. It was a relationship where the bees were respected and thanked for the their gifts. Bees are also responsible for the growth of much of our food thanks to pollination. Sources say from 30 to 40% of our crops are pollinated by bees. Without them, flowers would die, fruits would disappear and, of course, there would be no honey. When you think about it, bees would do much better without us than we would do without them.
Instead of working with nature in mutual partnerships, humans have been seeking to control nature. The bees seem to be telling us something. They've had enough and they withdraw. This has been made clear to me in a new documentary about bees called Queen of the Sun. I was shaken to the core when I heard these words by Gunther Hauk, a biodynamic beekeeper in the United States. He says this at the beginning:
Colony collapse disorder is the bill we are getting for all we have done to the bees. It's just a name that was given to a phenomenon that a hive is found empty. Food is there. Honey is there. But the bees are gone. The first thing we look for is who is the cause for that. Who is responsible? We are not going to solve the problem by us killing a virus or a bacteria or a fungi. Because the problem is an inner one. Personally I am grateful for a crisis. The crisis will give us the possibility to learn something if we are willing. If the heart opens up enough to tell the mind something.
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu. Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu. Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.
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| Amrita bees getting a breath of fresh air after a long winter |
Towards the end of April, our bees are starting to venture outside the hive to gather pollen and nectar. Nigama and I made a syrup out of hot water and sugar so that we could offer the bees a post-winter snack. We added a feeding stimulant called Honey-B-Healthy that is composed of lemon grass and spearmint essential oils. It helps boost the bees' health in times when nectar sources are low (like spring).
When we got out to the hive we noticed that one hive was extraordinarily active. A cloud of workers buzzed about the entrance and many of them were re-entering the hive with large packets of pollen gathered on their legs. This is a sign that they are feeding young larvae. The video below documents this well, and even includes some bold appearances by bees who might be trying to catch a break in front of the camera. :)
The other hive was cause for concern, as we did not see the same robust activity. In fact, there did not seem to be any bees flying around the entrance. When we opened the hive, there was just a grapefruit-sized cluster of bees inside. We felt they were too fragile to start removing frames and checking for new larvae or the presence of a queen. We did notice that there is a lot of honey, so the problem is not lack of food. We will continue to think about and research next steps. In the meantime, your prayers for the health of this hive are much appreciated.
It was an emotional event. Speaking for myself, in caring for these bees, I have felt a deep bond form. When I come to the ashram and I feel sad, a visit out to the hives to connect with the energy of the bees transforms me. Seeing one of our hives in a weakened state got me thinking about the bigger picture of the health of bees. All over the world, they are dying.
 | |
| Nigama offering the bees a post-winter snack |
In Canada, it is becoming more difficult each winter for bees to make it through. The average survival rate used to be about 5 to 15%. In the winter of 2006-7, there was a dramatic increase when about 36% of bee colonies across the country died. Since then, it has hovered at about that same number. In the US and Europe, they are seeing an even more disturbing phenomenon called colony collapse disorder. Beekeepers open their hives and find that the bees are simply and suddenly gone.
Why are our bees dying? Researchers have been looking at two things in particular: infestations by mites who have become resistant to pesticides and climate change -- especially longer, colder winters.
The cooperation between humans and bees goes back 10,000 years when humans began to cultivate bees for honey. It was a relationship where the bees were respected and thanked for the their gifts. Bees are also responsible for the growth of much of our food thanks to pollination. Sources say from 30 to 40% of our crops are pollinated by bees. Without them, flowers would die, fruits would disappear and, of course, there would be no honey. When you think about it, bees would do much better without us than we would do without them.
Instead of working with nature in mutual partnerships, humans have been seeking to control nature. The bees seem to be telling us something. They've had enough and they withdraw. This has been made clear to me in a new documentary about bees called Queen of the Sun. I was shaken to the core when I heard these words by Gunther Hauk, a biodynamic beekeeper in the United States. He says this at the beginning:
Colony collapse disorder is the bill we are getting for all we have done to the bees. It's just a name that was given to a phenomenon that a hive is found empty. Food is there. Honey is there. But the bees are gone. The first thing we look for is who is the cause for that. Who is responsible? We are not going to solve the problem by us killing a virus or a bacteria or a fungi. Because the problem is an inner one. Personally I am grateful for a crisis. The crisis will give us the possibility to learn something if we are willing. If the heart opens up enough to tell the mind something.
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu. Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu. Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.
Beekeepers need a catchy slogan to increase public awareness. Something like "If you ate today thank the bees!"
ReplyDeleteKeval - That's a good one! Maybe you should go into PR and Marketing :)
ReplyDeleteNice blog!
ReplyDeleteStacy
Thanks for sharing.....:)this and yesterday
ReplyDelete@Stacy - Thank you :) :) :)
ReplyDelete@Chechi - Thank you for your help yesterday. I could not have done that seva without you. I am going to write about yesterday's experience soon. Jai Ma!
ReplyDelete