Cellular Phones, WiFi and Bee Collapse? Israeli Bee Boss Not Buying It

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Bee colony collapse disorder is a worldwide phenomenon decimating bee colonies worldwide. Bees, you see, are pretty important. Without them much of our food can't be pollinated. And the true reason why America lost about one third of its bees last year is largely unknown. Some believe it's because there is lack of pollen as crops producing nectar decline. Some others say conventional pesticides, while more recently European researchers are blaming cellular phone antennas and WiFi connections (which is also now linked to male infertility). But Israeli bee scientists aren't buying the "radiation" link.

Bee colony collapse disorder is a worldwide phenomenon decimating bee colonies worldwide. Bees, you see, are pretty important. Without them much of our food can't be pollinated. And the true reason why America lost about one third of its bees last year is largely unknown. Some believe it's because there is lack of pollen as crops producing nectar decline. Some others say conventional pesticides, while more recently European researchers are blaming cellular phone antennas and WiFi connections (which is also now linked to male infertility). But Israeli bee scientists aren’t buying the "radiation" link.

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Israel's Honeybee Council head Herzl Avigdor is skeptical of the link, reports Haaretz covering a honeybee conference in Israel. He says it is climate change, and viruses attacking bees' weakened immune system. Knowing nature and the delicate balance it maintains, the real cause might be all of the above.

Whatever the reason, colonies are still collapsing. Israel has reportedly lost 30 percent of its bees, and the UK about 50%. Worldwide honey production is down 20%. This is scary stuff -– enough to get every day people starting bee colonies in their backyards and on their roofs.

Israel has ancient roots in beekeeping. Some answers might lie in the Holy Land: Read Miriam’s journey on how Israeli beekeepers are breeding bees back to their ancestral size.

Image credit: Serg64/Shutterstock