Colorado Springs beekeepers feel the sting of hive declines
Colorado Springs is a big hub for beekeeping, but folks in the community are concerned to see the honeybee numbers decline around the country and right here in our backyard.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, honeybees are declining about 30-40 percent each year. And here’s a startling number, they say there’s been a drop from 6 million managed hives in 1947 to just 2.6 million in 2018.
Leonard and Dolly Rickerman own and operate Rocky Mountain Bees. They’ve had their storefront for about 4 years now. And it’s a buzzing time for the couple, with the honey pull quickly approaching in August.
But the sting left behind from the ‘Bomb Cyclone’ is still being felt.
“This last year is probably the hardest year we’ve ever experienced here in Colorado keeping bees,” says Leonard.
The couple has several apiaries, or bee farms, around the state. The one they operate in Monument has about 25 hives. But Leonard says they were wiped out during the March storm, losing about two-thirds of their bees.
“The persistent wind that you mentioned was very devastating on some of our hives,” Leonard says.
The Rickermans have had that farm since 2005. For them, it’s the worst weather event to ever hit their colonies. The biggest factor being the near-100 MPH winds whipping through.
“That little apiary took quite a loss which is not normal for us,” said Leonard.
According to experts, it’s the greatest reported winter hive loss the nation has ever seen. But it’s not just because of Mother Nature. The Rickermans say the varroa termite, which is a small mite that latches onto bees, is also playing a big role in the decline.
Many beekeepers this winter were forced to supplement their bees by feeding them sugar water and even wrapping their hives to keep their colonies warmer.
The Rickermans say a big part of helping slow the scary decline of honeybees, is to play your part. It’s easy to forget how important bees are for our everyday life. They help produce 90 percent of our commercially grown crops. If possible, stop using pesticides, and maybe even get a hive of your own. The Rickermans say they are happy to get you started.
