Where Have All the Bees Gone?

In my last garden, I remember stepping out into my backyard and hearing a hum rising up from all the bees enjoying the clover and other flowers.

honeybee on clover

Two years later, I now have a new garden and a nice big patch of clover, but...

where are all the bees?

are the bees hiding from me?

Oh yes, if I search I can find a few bees..

Bumble bee on salvia

But it is worrisome.  

Is it because so many bees died off after the hard winter?

Am I seeing the effects of Colony Collapse Disorder?

Or is it because my garden isn't as established yet and hasn't been 'discovered'?

a tiny sweat bee, covered in pollen

There seem to be a lot of factors affecting bee numbers.  It is a perfect storm for bees and other pollinators out there - pesticides, pathogens, parasites, loss of habitat, and a harsh winter on top of that.

label on a bottle of Tree & Shrub 'Protect & Feed' granules
Imidacloprid and Clothianidin are Neonicotinoids, pesticides that absorbed into the plant and are suspected of being harmful to bees

In good news, though, the topic has been getting so much attention that pressure is being put on law makers.  Last week, during National Pollinator Week, the White House announced a Presidential Memorandum to address the loss of bees, monarchs, and other pollinators.  The memorandum established a task force to look into the problem and come up with a plan.  It also ordered pollinator-friendly practices to be put into effect on federal lands in order to build up habitat.

Bumble bee on holly

Well, we all know government, so we'll see how effective this will be, but at least it is a step in the right direction.

miner bee on clover

As my rather empty patch of clover knows,
the pollinators need all the help they can get!