Honey Bee Population

When I started working here about 9 years ago we talked about the lack of honey bees often. I think we have forgotten about our native honey bee and how important they are to our food crops and other plants that need pollinated.

In 1984 the tracheal mite caused a great loss in our managed and wild honey bee populations. It kills adult bees and lives in the tracheal or breathing tubes of honey bees. Because of the small size of this mite it may go undetected for several years. There are effective chemical and non-chemical controls for tracheal mites. In recent years, this pest has become less of a problem since our bees have developed some resistance or at least tolerance to the mite pest.

Just when the honey bee did not think it could have more problems in 1990 the Varroa mite was detected in North Carolina. This mite has killed at least 1/3 of the managed honey bee colonies and almost 100% of the wild honey bees. Left untreated the mites kill a bee colony within one to three years. This mite kills both adults and developing honey bee larvae. Beekeepers are encouraged to treat routinely for this pest. If colonies are not treated most will die in North Carolina in a one-two year span.

At this time our population levels are still 80% below what they were before these pests came to North Carolina.

So what can we do to help and encourage our native honey bees? Well landscape with honey bee attractive plants, of course. Herbs are a great bee magnetic. These herbs are attractive to honey bees, and relatively easy to grow with low maintenance: basil, bee balm, borage, catnip, chives, comfrey, hyssop, lavender, marjoram, mints, sage, salvias, spider plant, teasel, globe thistle, thyme, and yarrow.

There also are many plants that are good nectar sources for honey production. If you have bee hives or just wanting to encourage native honey bees to your yard think about trying these honey plants: asters, black gum, blackberry, dandelion, inkberry holly, goldenrod, hollies, huckleberry, Clethra, raspberry, red maple, sourwood, sugar ample, sumac, tulip poplar, and Tupelo gum.

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service has several honey bee publications located on the internet. If you have any questions about honey bees or gardening in general please call the Wilson County Master Gardeners at 237-0113 Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1-3 PM or email anytime at wilsonmastergardener@hotmail.com.

Date Created: 6/28/2004.