I'm hoping they're just up in the trees getting their pollen and nectar from there right now. :o(

I'm also hoping that the bumblebee-like wasps (larger and move faster and more aggressively than bumblebees, and have shiny black abdomens) do not turn people against bumblebees by misidentification.

I never used to see those here in Cumberland County, PA until this year--saw them all the time in York County, just South of here.

He said CCD affects honey bees. Our native bee's are not affected as they are solitary dwellers.

He said the biggest dilemma for native bee's is loss of habitat. He said to many gardens are groomed too perfection. I purposely leave an area of my garden untouched.

I have over 8 plus different species of bee's in my garden that are thriving very well.

Weather has played a major factor as well. It's been an extremely dry year.

I've tried repeatedly to post here, and it just isn't working, I'm hoping this time it will.

We're seeing a massive bumble bee die-off in the Nederlands too. We don't use pecticides either and the bees seem to be near our Butterfly bush when it happens, but the Birds and Butterflies don't seem to be bothered, so it seems to be limited to only the bees.

It's very alarming.

Some of you, who hasn't seen this video might like it.
Konrad

Anyway, just last night I was clearing out some overgorwn weeds when I was divebombed by two or three bumblebees. I am pretty sure I uprooted their nest, as they were quite agitated. Some quick research told me they make small, short-lived nests, then I was more convinced than ever.

In standing back watching the bees rumble around and contemplating whether I could safely continue to pull weeds, hubby and I noticed another group that was obviously doing their evening return to a nest under a fallen landscape timber. I am thrilled at the same time I am dismayed, as I need to do yard clean-up, but know we NEED THOSE BEES! (I have only seen one honeybee here all year. :o( )

Anyway, the point of all that was to say I have seen many, many more bumblebees this year, and at least part of me, lol, is thrilled they are nesting here on the property. I have also seen alot more smaller, native-type bees, too, like "sweat" bees and green bees. (Frankly I know nothing about which are true natives and which are imports except for honey bees.)

I don't use insecticides.

Those of you who have been finding dead or dying bumblebees or honeybees in your yard (or birds), please check to see if a cell phone tower or antenna was recently installed somewhere nearby in your neighborhood.

www.antennasearch.com

My pets all became ill (and most died) following the installation of a cell phone mast up the street from my home. I was too busy though trying to keep them alive while my own health was declining to notice what was happening to the bees. I did find a dead bird though around that time, as well as a family of possums (all dead).

We are truly gambling with nature here. Please read the following - then you'll understand how this is even possible.

Bioinitiative Report:

http://www.bioinitiative.org/report/index.htm

Attitudes to the Health Dangers of Non-Thermal EMFs:

http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/news/20080117_bevington_emfs.pdf