These days, people hear a lot about the decimation of the honeybee population and how terrible this is for the future of pollination. Pest management technicians providing Insect Control in Pittsburgh PA work with beekeepers who will safely and humanely transport a colony of these bugs that have moved onto a residential or commercial property. One nagging question about pollination might arise when someone digs into the history of honeybees, however.
An Intriguing Question
The fact is, the species of honey bee that North Americans are familiar with apparently did not exist on this continent until European settlers arrived and brought these specific insects along. Thus they are known as the European honeybee. What creatures accomplished all the pollination back then?
Other Pollinators
There are three important aspects to this question. One is that other pollinators from long ago are still around today, picking up some of the slack in gardens and small groups of fruit trees. Some of those critters include hummingbirds, wasps, butterflies, and bumblebees. Several other bee species that used to pollinate are now extinct. Some Native American civilizations kept bee hives somewhat similar to the way that today’s beekeepers do. Then, as now, people loved to eat sweet honey.
Large-Scale Agriculture
The second aspect is that large-scale agriculture was unheard of. Massive numbers of pollinators are needed for the nation’s miles and miles of crops. By managing colonies of bees instead of leaving the activity totally to nature, agricultural ventures can produce enormous amounts of food crops for humans and animals.
Relatively New Crops
The third consideration is that much of the cropland today is devoted to foods that weren’t grown in North America before European settlers arrived. Potatoes and carrots, for instance, grow fine without honeybees, even in large enterprises.
Trying to kill a colony of honeybees is inadvisable both because of their beneficial activity and because the attempt may be dangerous. The bees are less likely to sting if they don’t feel threatened. A better solution is to call for professional Insect Control in Pittsburgh PA, such as The-Beeman. People who need assistance may click here to learn more.
