Crozet Man Swarms to the Defense of Honey Bees

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Updated: 7:48 PM Aug 31, 2010 Crozet Man Swarms to the Defense of Honey Bees Local beekeeper Ian Henry collects and colonizes honey bees at his Crozet home, saving them from a phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder. The bees are then used to fertilize many common crops. Posted: 6:13 PM Aug 31, 2010 Reporter: Liz Plaka Email Address: liz.palka@newsplex.com

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August 31, 2010

Local beekeeper Ian Henry was called on lat month to collect thousands of swarming honey bees took over one entrance to the Monticello Area Community Action Agency (MACAA) in Charlottesville.

Henry took the MACAA colony of about 6,000 honey bees to his home in Crozet to join another weak colony Henry already has. He combined the two weak colonies to create one colony of 10,000 to 15,000 bees.

Henry, and other beekeepers around the country, are trying to save colonies of honey bees from a phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder, which is killing bees by the millions.

"I think there's 30 million colonies of bees being lost in the last couple of years in the United States. That's an awful lot of colonies, so every one that we can keep alive is good. They're bringing in reserves if they can find them, to get them through the winter," said Henry.

Honey bees are used to fertilize many fruits, vegetables and nuts and are an important tool farmers use to keep crops in good condition.

"It takes 15 visits from a bee to pollinate a strawberry. If you didn't have bees you wouldn't have strawberries, and there are a lot of crops like that," said Henry.

Henry says he will continue to take care of the MACAA honey bees, so they can go on to fertilize the food that's so important to our everyday lives.

Latest Comments

Posted by: The Dude Location: Greene County on Sep 1, 2010 at 02:18 PM

Thank you, Mr. Henry. Your work helps feed a lot people. With a small orchard of my own, I'm very concerned about pollination and declining bee populations.

Posted by: Lynn on Sep 1, 2010 at 09:12 AM

thank you Ian great work

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