Ohio Bee Colonies Shrinking

The sound of a nearby bee usually gets people swatting around and jumping for cover.

But many bees want nothing but to get to the fruits or flowers in your garden. According to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, honey bees spur growth of over 70 types of crops. However, beekeepers around the state are reporting dwindling colonies.

“It really is of concern,” said OSU extension educator, Mark Mechling. “It’s really one of those things that we don’t talk about but it has some really serious implications that if bees are not around to pollinate fruits and vegetables, perhaps those fruits and vegetables would still get along, but production would be greatly reduced.”

Mechling attributed the shrinking population to parasites latching onto bees, a loss of habitat and also new and increased use of insecticides. He said people can help the bee population by doing some small things around the house.

“Think about ‘do I really need to use that insecticide around the home and garden?'” Mechling asked rhetorically. “If so, just make sure that the plant is not in bloom, and just think about the need for bees here locally.”