Scientists classify honeybees as beneficial insects. They pollinate more than 100 crops. Experts estimate that the bees increase the value of the crops by $15 billion. Besides pollinating crops, honeybees also produce millions of dollars worth of honey every year. Farmers and beekeepers work hard to protect honeybees from predators and diseases.
In nature, there are several predators that attack honeybees. Two of the most serious honeybee predators are very tiny mites. The Varroa mite attacks honeybees from the outside of their bodies. It pierces the honeybee's skin and sucks its blood. The mites also introduce viruses into the bees' bodies.
The honeybee tracheal mite gets into the honeybee's respiratory system. Once inside the bee, the mite pierces the bee's skin. These two predators have been causing honeybee colonies to shrink. Bees that survive the attacks are weakened and cannot produce as much as healthy honeybees.
Since 2006, beekeepers have seen severe drops in the numbers of bees in their colonies. In some cases, the entire colony dies. Scientists are using the term Colony Collapse Disorder to describe this phenomenon. Scientists are studying this disorder to try to find its cause. They are studying the effects of the Varroa and tracheal mites, along with pesticides, reduction of food supply, and any other factors that might be causing this drop in honeybee numbers.
In the meantime, scientists are studying other types of bees to see if they can replace honeybees as crop pollinators.
Honeybees are blamed for many of the insect stings that people receive every year. Scientists report that honeybees do not go out searching for someone to sting. In fact, bees that are foraging for pollen or nectar will seldom sting.
When honeybees swarm, many people panic. They are intimidated to see hundreds of bees flying in a large group. These swarms are often on the TV news. In fact, scientists say that the bees are not likely to attack or sting during their migration – they re looking for a place to make a nest. Scientists recommend that we not kill swarming honeybees.
If honeybees make their nest inside a home, they often pose a threat to the people who live there. In that case, the honeybees should be removed. In many areas, a beekeeper will come and take the bees away. If that cannot be done, the bees can be killed. Because of safety concerns, many people prefer to have a pest control professional make the insecticide application.
After the bees have been removed, the homeowner should remove the honey and the honeycomb from the nest site. Without the bees to keep it cool, this material might melt in hot weather. This will cause an unpleasant odor and an unsightly stain. It can also attract several types of scavenger insects.