Do we have too many HONEY bees?

Alright, buckle up, folks, because we're about to dive into a honey-coated mystery that's got more twists and turns than a roller coaster. Picture this: after years of buzzing about colony collapse and mourning those suspiciously clean windshields, we get hit with some wild news. Brace yourselves, because apparently, the bees are back, baby!

I’m talking about the latest buzz from the Census of Agriculture (you know, that time every five years when the government counts all the llamas). Turns out, America’s honeybee population has hit an all-time high, adding nearly a million bee colonies in just five years. We're talking 3.8 million colonies strong!

Now, before we start popping the honey jars and celebrating like it's the Fourth of July, we gotta ask ourselves: what's the deal with this bee boom? Well, let's put on our detective hats and get to the bottom of this sweet mystery.

First off, we've got the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) dropping some knowledge bombs with their census data. But hold onto your honey dipper, because another crew, the annual honey report, seems to be singing a different tune. It's like comparing apples to, well, honeybees.

According to Stan Daberkow, an Agriculture Department whiz (who may or may not moonlight as a honey aficionado), there's more to this story than meets the eye. You see, the honey report focuses on the big players, while the census casts a wider net, including everyone from hobbyists to full-blown beekeepers. And with inflation doing its thing, more folks might be buzzing into the farming scene than ever before.

But wait, there's more! Texas, of all places, is leading the charge in beekeeping. We're talking a Lone Star State takeover here, with more bee operations than you can shake a stick at. And let me tell you, these Texans are more excited about bees than a kid in a candy store.

Take John Talbert, for instance. This guy practically breathes honey and wouldn't hesitate to sweeten up a politician's day with a jar of his finest wildflower nectar. Then there's Dennis Herbert, a retired wildlife whiz who turned beekeeping into a legislative mission. Thanks to him, Texas landowners can score some sweet tax breaks just by hosting a few hives. It's like the bees hit the jackpot in the Lone Star State!

But hold onto your cowboy hats, because the real hive of activity is out west in California. With more almond trees than you can shake a pollen-covered stick at, California's almond crop is practically the bee's knees. These buzzing insects play a crucial role in pollinating those almond blossoms, making it rain almonds across the nation.

But before we start throwing a honey-flavored party, let's not forget the dark cloud hovering over the hive: colony collapse disorder. It's like the villain in this bee movie, lurking in the shadows and threatening our winged friends. Sure, we're managing to keep the bee population afloat for now, but at what cost?

Eliza Grames, an insect expert, warns that while honeybees might be thriving, our native pollinators are feeling the sting. We're talking butterflies, beetles, and all sorts of buzzy buddies facing extinction. It's a wake-up call to step up our game and protect these vital players in our ecosystem. Click to read our post on “Feed The Bees.”

So, there you have it, folks. The bee saga continues, with twists and turns that would make even the best Hollywood scriptwriters jealous. But if there's one thing we can learn from this honey-drenched tale, it's that when it comes to saving the bees, we've all got a part to play. So let's roll up our sleeves, plant some flowers, and give these pollinators the love and respect they deserve. After all, a world without bees would be a lot less sweet.

Issue #8: America's Honey Bee Population

Do we have too many HONEY bees?