Pollinator Conservation#
1 . Is there a honey bee shortage in the U.S. today? Are honey bees facing extinction?
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are not at risk of extinction. In fact, managed colony numbers globally in recent years are relatively stable or increasing due to active beekeeping. However, this does not mean they are thriving. U.S. beekeepers commonly report annual colony losses of 30–50%, largely due to:
Parasitic mites (Varroa destructor)
Viruses associated with mites
Pesticide exposure
Poor nutrition
Management stress
Queen issues
2 . What are the important distinctions between honey bees and native bees?
Honey bees are a managed agricultural species and losses are replaced by beekeepers splitting colonies. Native bees (wild bees) are of greater conservation concern. North America has ~4,000 native bee species. Many are declining, though data are incomplete. Bumble bees are among the best studied and according to the IUCN Bumble Bee Specialist Group, about 25–30% of North American bumble bee species are at risk of extinction, with some species (e.g., rusty patched bumble bee) already federally listed as endangered.
3 . What are the basic needs of honey bees if we want to protect them?
Bees require four key resources:
Nesting habitat - managed hives or natural cavities (tree hollows)
Favorable microclimate - warm, dry, sunlit locations, protected from excessive wind and moisture
Protection from stressors such as parasites (especially Varroa), diseases, pesticides
A consistent, and diverse forage (food source) and clean water source. This includes a continuous bloom from early spring through fall, high-quality pollen (protein) and nectar (energy), and plant diversity is critical for nutrition and immune health for all bees and pollinators.
4 . According to research, we have seen a 78% decline in insect biomass. What are some of the reasons for this decline?
Pesticides
Pollution
Invasive species
Climate change
Parasites and disease
Habitat loss
5 . Out of those listed above, what is the number one reason so many of our pollinators are in decline?
Habitat loss due to: Urban development and large-scale agriculture reduces diverse flowering plants Monocultures (single-crop farms) provide food for only short periods Many landscapes (lawns, roadsides) lack trees, shrubs and plants that provide nectar and pollen sources.
6 . What can people help pollinators in Georgia?
Protecting pollinators doesn’t require a single, sweeping solution. Instead, it involves combining many small, practical steps across different landscapes, ensuring that bees and other pollinators have access to food, shelter, and nesting sites throughout the year. Here are some ways everyone can support pollinators.
Plant for continuous bloom. Aim for something blooming from early spring to late fall. Use native plants whenever possible (they support more species) and think in terms of the season. Also, planting native trees and shrubs can offer a large amount of bloom with limited footprint.
Spring: redbud,blueberry, clover
Summer: sourwood, coneflower, bee balm
Fall: goldenrod, asters
Avoid or limit pesticide use Avoid spraying blooming plants If you must treat, spray at dusk when bees and other pollinators aren’t active Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) instead of routine spraying Be cautious with systemic products (they can end up in nectar/pollen)
Allow “messy” landscapes. Dead stems, bare ground, and leaf litter support nesting for native bees
Protect and restore open, sunny habitats such as meadows, roadsides, field margins, utility rights-of-way
Reduce grass lawns and limit mowing especially during bloom season.
Promote habitat connectivity Large, continuous areas are more valuable than small fragmented patches.
Support local beekeepers and pollinator programs
Encourage urban and suburban pollinator plantings
Educate people young and old about the importance of pollinators