Around the country, many beekeepers checking in on their hives after the winter found staggering losses. As many as 40 percent of commercial bee hives were lost this winter. In Vermont, though, losses have been closer to 10-15 percent bee die-off, which is in the range of normal. In an interview with VPR's Vermont Edition, state apiculturist Steve Parise explains why.
One reason? Vermont bees have a greater diversity of crops to feed on than commercial bees in monoculture crops do, like the California almond industry:
“Fortunately for us here in Vermont, in most parts of the state there’s always something blooming. It may not be major plant – a weed here, a weed there – but you put it all together... Just like a human diet, there’s a good variety of foods, a good nutritional balance to the bees healthy, to build up their colonies throughout the active season.” - Steve Parise
