Honey Bees Missing 97225 - Ask Extension
Our little acre size garden is missing the usual very large numbers of honey bees we plant forage for each year. Are other people reporting this unse...
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Honey Bees Missing 97225 #874037
Asked June 21, 2024, 10:16 AM EDT
Our little acre size garden is missing the usual very large numbers of honey bees we plant forage for each year. Are other people reporting this unsettling development this spring/summer. Could it be the harsh ice wind storm of January 13 2024? Please advise. Thank you.
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Peggy,
No, I have not had other questions this year about missing honey bees.
It could simply be that the colonies of honey bees which pollinated your flowers were moved or died.
Or it could be time of year. We have had a lot of cold rainy days which has put the bees behind schedule. You should see number of visits increase with the nicer weather.
Or it could be that the honey bees are choosing a different pollen/nectar source right now and will return to your place when the other source finishes flowering.
If you provide great pollinator habitat, they will return. Have you seen this amazing resource from OSU Extension, "Enhancing Urban and Suburban Landscapes to Protect Pollinators"? Reading through it will give you many more ideas for your 1 acre of pollinator paradise.
No, I have not had other questions this year about missing honey bees.
It could simply be that the colonies of honey bees which pollinated your flowers were moved or died.
Or it could be time of year. We have had a lot of cold rainy days which has put the bees behind schedule. You should see number of visits increase with the nicer weather.
Or it could be that the honey bees are choosing a different pollen/nectar source right now and will return to your place when the other source finishes flowering.
If you provide great pollinator habitat, they will return. Have you seen this amazing resource from OSU Extension, "Enhancing Urban and Suburban Landscapes to Protect Pollinators"? Reading through it will give you many more ideas for your 1 acre of pollinator paradise.
Thank You!!!
