On today's episode of Twin Trees Vet Talk, we welcome our very special guest, Dr. Jörg Mayer DVM, MS, DABVP, DECZM, DACZM. Dr. Mayer is a veterinarian to bees and other exotic animals, and a Professor of Zoological Medicine at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine; where he also teaches bee medicine classes to veterinarians and veterinary students.

We discuss the importance of bees with respect to the economy and global food security, the major threats to bees, how to help the bees, and more.

Pollinators are in major danger. Many of them are facing extinction. If you want to help pollinators here are some simple things you can do: Buy organic. Don't use pesticides. Plant wild native flowers. Support your local farmers and local beekeepers by going to the farmers market and buying locally grown food and honey.

In our next episode we will focus on advice for beekeepers and troubleshooting bee colony loss.

We hope you enjoy this episode! Please leave your questions and comments below!

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Teaser

01:08 Intro: Dr. Jörg Mayer

1:47 Why are bees important?

03:22 What foods are made by bees? Commercial beekeeping.

06:35 What are the biggest threats to bees?

06:44 Threat #1 habitat loss

07:33 Threat #2 pesticides

08:49 Threat #3 pathogens, multidrug resistance

09:44 Understanding the numbers: Bee colony loss rates.

11:32 How to help bees

11:40 #1: create pollinator habitat. Exchange your lawn for wild meadow. Bee hotels.

13:06 #2: Buy local honey from a local beekeeper.

13:30: More on flowers. Plant native wildflowers, plant a variety.

14:23 #3 Avoid pesticides/ herbicides in your garden (and on the food you buy...buy organic. More on this later).

14:46: EXTINCTION IS REALITY for bees, butterflies, pollinators, and up the food chain.

17:00 Buying food sprayed with pesticides harms bees and other pollinators. Buy organic, locally grown food.

17:56 Recap & Take Home Points

Thank you Dr. Mayer!

FULL BLOG POST: https://twintreesvet.com/blogs/vet-talk/why-are-the-bees-dying-how-to-help-the-bees

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