Also, wild bees have to contend with so many problems.
First and foremost, as with every list of problems ever, is obviously bears.
Second is human-caused environmental concerns: deforestation, pollution, artificial lakes, wildfires, hostile species introduced to the environment, you know, all those things that can cause damage to trees.
Even without human intervention, trees can die and fall over, the air can freeze before the bees have stocked enough honey, accidents happen…nothing nature can’t handle, but bee farms are basically free housing for bees. Hutches don’t fall over, no one marks them to bee cut down, they’re kept secure for the hibernation season, there are anti-bear fences, and they’re located in places where exterminators won’t be called in to clean up the neighborhood. Heck, I’m pretty sure I saw one at the center of the meadow with the Flight 93 memorial–because if you put a beehive in the center of your nice-looking meadow, they’ll keep the flowers sustained and prospering.
Of course, too much protection is also a flaw in nature–species that have spent millennia evolving to the point where they’re expected to lose 20% of their population to wild factors will make sure that their survival accounts for that loss through breeding rates and labor efficiency. If that 20% is suddenly not dying because of human protections, that will lead to overfeeding, laziness, weakening, and ultimately, disaster…so, by removing honey, the species is kept in its natural balance, and yes, this is a real thing (they will put honey in the brood chambers, meaning fewer bees spawned…which, as you can tell, is also a perfect natural nerf that is Working As Intended!). Aka, if you don’t harvest honey, bees suffer.
Now, does this mean that all beekeepers and honey farms are 100% ethical? Eh…probably not. Humans are humans. But definitely look into buying locally-sourced honey from bee farms if you’re worried. Maybe make a day of it and swing by to visit (even during these COVID days–it’s outdoors, and no one values protective attire and social distancing like a beekeeper!) to see if everything’s kosher. Especially because if you support your local honey farm or meadery, the beekeepers will be able to ensure better lives for their buzzing colonies!
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