Warmer weather is approaching which means blooming flowers and more importantly...[b]bees[/b]! As we've all heard hundreds of times, bees are currently in a bit of trouble due to [Under the Cut as it's long. Quoted from Bobcast. Thank you for the correct information] To see his links refer to his post in the thread. [spoiler]As a hobby bee keeper, I completely support this post. However...I will have to correct you about your assertions about pesticides being the cause of colony collapse disorder (CCD). CCD is a huge problem that is multi-factorial. The majority of the causes of CCD are man-made, but bug spray isn't the major or sole cause. To sum up the causes, we have created an environment where there are 3 major causes for CCD. We have allowed easy transmission of diseases within our bee population, we have changed the landscape where our bees feed, and we have intoxicated our bees. 1) We have created an environment where are bees are more susceptible to disease. - Commercial transport of bees: It has now been common practice for bee keepers to transport their hives all across the country to help pollinate cash crops. This nation wide transport of colonies speeds the spread of disease between colonies. It isn't uncommon for a commercial hive to be shipped from Florida to California to Washington St to Maine depending on the season to pollinate crops. As these colonies move, so do their diseases. -The use of wax foundation: Beekeepers have been using wax foundation for a long time. The problem with using wax foundation is that pre-made cells on the wax foundation is designed to facilitate the growth of larger worker bees. This helps increase honey production...but the larger cells increases the growth of varroa mite. Varroa mite is one or the primary transmitter of bee disease... 2) We have changed the landscape for the bees... -Mono-agriculture is probably the biggest problem for the bees. In the past, family farms would have several different crops growing on their farms. The bees would have different crops to feed from through out the year. With modern commercial agriculture, miles upon miles are planted with the same crop. These plants only flower for a short time, and when flowering is over the bees might as well be in a desert. With no other flowering plants within miles the bees have no other food sources. -Urban bees have been surviving better than rural bees...this is because the variety of flowering plants in a city now vastly outnumbers that in a commercial agriculture setting. 3) Pesticides --Neonicotinoids: These have been linked as a guilty party. They appear to interfere with the bees ability to navigate. It also builds up in their wax. So, if you want to look at CCD objectively, pretend you're a bee forging for food. Your're starving due to current commercial mono-agricultural practices. You are sick due to Varroa mite infection. You're unsure where you are because you just got shipped from a California almond orchard to a Washington St apple orchard. You are drunk due to pesticides. How effective are you going to be?[/spoiler] Bees are an irreplaceable asset to our ecosystems and basic existence. Without them plants and eventually animals will die out. Yeah, we all know that (like recycling) bee deaths have little to do with civilians and a lot to do with corporations. Regardless, I'd still like to take the time to try to encourage everyone to, if not act, at least spread the word. This spring and summer keep in mind these helpful tips: [b]1.[/b] If you find a swarm of bees that need removal or you believe someone would try to exterminate them Take initiative and contact a bee keeper instead of an exterminator. They'll take time to relocate the insects to a safe home without killing them. [b]2.[/b] Grow attractive plants for bees to utilize. Picture above shows vegetation that bumbles enjoy quite a bit [b]3.[/b] If you or someone you know has a personal garden try instead of pesticides organic means to keep destructive insects away. There are breeds of predators that eat them but stay away from bees. Depending on your infestation, research what's needed. [b]4.[/b] Inform those around you that bees are not dangerous (despite popular belief) Yeah wasps are dicks but our friendly pollinators generally stay away from hurting other creatures as they're more concerned with hive work. [b] 5. [/b] Contact your local bee association for more info. Here's a [url=http://www.beeculture.com/directory/find-local-beekeeper/]link[/url] to find how to get hold of the one in your area. As per Bobcast make sure the bee keeper keeps it local and doesn't ship out the bees to other places as that spreads diseases among bees which further kills them off. Simply ask the keeper whether or not the do so! [b]6.[/b] As per Recon (Thank you for the tip!) Provide water. To see his photo refer to his post in this thread. A dog/cat water feeder filled with pebbles, wine corks, or beads/marbles to prevent the bees from falling in and drowning provides excellent source of hydration for our little friends. If you have any other advice please share!