That Washington Time editorial is just so wrong.
First of all, they disparage the EPA for trying to prohibit the use of neonicotinoids. Trouble is, the EPA actually allowed the use of that type of pesticide. The lawsuit just decided this past week found AGAINST the EPA for allowing the use of neonicotinoids because of insufficient studies.
Secondly, the Washington Times cherry picked the data from the Department of Agriculture’s report - http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2015/150513.htm. Yes, winter kill of honey bees is down. HOWEVER, summer kill is significantly up, and the yearly percentage of honey bees dying has been trending up. There is a problem with honey bees dying.
Well, I’m no expert on the subject, but some folks sure aren’t buying it.
I don’t know where you are located, but my hives are doing just fine.
Other than the drought has reduced a lot of the natural forage and production is down a little, I have not had any unusual problems.
No excessive winter or spring die off.
Even if the die offs are up correlation does not equate to causation.
You need evidence linking the death of bees to the insecticides.
I read an article months ago showing microscopic mites in the hives of the dead bees.
Perhaps the new insecticides are causing the bee deaths but there needs to be science behind the removal of the insecticide from the market not just a reactionary federal appeals court.