As Are Our Pollinators
So Are We Humans
I’ve said before, if all humanity disappeared tomorrow, nature would do just fine. If nature goes away, humanity will quickly die.
Priorities
Where do we start when it comes to protecting our food source? It is a toss-up between healthy soil and pollinators. Both are in grave danger. Over 30 years ago a tiny fellow came to the US, the varroa mite. He had a preferred host: the honeybee. As with so many things, we humans didn’t take the threat seriously until it was almost too late. Currently it’s estimated that 100% of honeybees are infected with this virus/disease carrying mite, and it’s killing them by the millions. Millions!! These mites attach to the upper back of the honeybee when it’s an infant. Like a giant pancake it feeds off bee blood while injecting viruses continuously.
Of course, as we have done since the end of WW II, we have thrown plenty chemicals at this mite, with the results being effective, continuous mutations. Meanwhile, we add insult to injury by liberally dousing all agriculture in pesticides, fungicides, herbicides - killing everything except the target. We’ve reduced habitat, toxified pollen and food sources, as well as the water. We’ve killed the fungi too … and now we find out that fungi may be the saving of the honeybees?
A Solution?
I challenge each of you to research this further. Paul Stamets, a micrologist in Washington State, accidentally discovered something very promising in the cure of the bee pandemic. He’s partnered with Steve Sheperd, an entomologist at Washington State University, in this amazing research.
Eighty one billion honeybee hives exist in the world. 31% of our food depends on these lil guys. Don’t you think it’s time to listen to a very possible solution?
The following links on YouTube will intrigue and excite you, on behalf of our very necessary pollinator. Listen as Paul Stamets explains why mushrooms are effective in killing verroa mites, protecting them from viruses, and so much more: https://youtu.be/Y_lqIUlON1s; https://youtu.be/TZPkCozuqM8; https://youtu.be/mG5jLJFD7OA
By Sherrie Ottinger
