Beekeepers in some regions of the USA lost more than half of their colony livestock, an apiarist with almost 70 years of experience has warned.
Ken Warchol from Northbridge, Massachusetts, started managing hives at the age of five.
Speaking to broadcaster CBN, the 73-year-old warned: “Here in the United States, [honeybee colony loss] ranges between 35 and 60 per cent depending on what areas.”
Ken explained that apiaries situated in the northern part of the country are worse affected since they – unlike their peers in the south – cannot raise brood throughout the year.
The excessive application of toxic substances, parasite infestations and climate change are widely regarded as the driving factors behind the decrease in pollinator populations.
Ken – whose Polish family’s beekeeping history dates back to the 19th century – was the apiary inspector of Massachusetts for 45 years.
Today, the retired teacher enjoys looking after his backyard apiary with his wife Deborah and their daughters, Keri and Lindsay. Their honey is on offer at the Grafton Country Store.
Ken admitted: “There’s nothing better I love to do than to go into a beehive. It’s so rewarding, so refreshing, so relaxing.”
Ken – whose annual colony loss ranges between 20 and 25 per cent – told the Telegram & Gazette: “I look at these little insects – they work so well, they’re all doing their jobs.”
He added: “I’ve learned a lot from the bees over the years. There’s cooperation instead of dissension. What I know about people I’ve learned from bees.”
