Why all the fuss about honey bees? One-third of our food supply depends on pollinators. Honey bees are the most important pollinators of many fruits, vegetables, flowers and crops. Honey bee populations have dropped drastically in recent years because of two parasitic bee mites. Scarce bees means lower fruit and vegetable yields, especially melons, apples, squashes, and cucumbers.

The common or domestic honey bee Apis mellifera was brought over to the U.S. from Europe by the early colonists. Swarms escaped from captivity and quickly flourished around the countryside. These are not "wild" or "killer" bees: they are just descendents of those which escaped captivity. Bees were very common until pesticide use reduced those feral colonies; the proliferation of bee mites has killed many more. Bees now need human help to survive the mites, so raising bees has never been more important. Scientists are working toward a solution to the widespread mite problem.

Some people fear being stung by a swarm. When a crowded hive swarms, a queen leaves the old hive and goes looking for a new home. Often the swarm will settle on a tree limb to rest for a while before proceeding to a new location. With the queen go many worker bees, each carrying a load of honey to feed the swarm during its establishment period. These workers cluster tightly around the queen. If you stay away from the swarm, they will not bother you. The swarm will most likely leave of its own accord within a few hours, so call the local beekeeper promptly to report its location.