A local apiarist reveals the importance of the humble bee and shares how to keep honeybees in your own backyard.
The Buzz About Bees
BY RYAN GRIFFIN
Bees do far more than make honey. These small, buzzing pollinators are responsible for fertilizing one-third of the food we eat. From tomatoes to blueberries, bees ensure that what we grow in our gardens, orchards, and farms thrives. Without them, grocery store shelves would look starkly different, and the rich tapestry of plant life that supports entire ecosystems would begin to unravel. In short, bees are foundational to both agriculture and biodiversity. But in recent decades, bees have been in trouble. Bee populations worldwide, including those in the United States, have faced alarming declines due to a combination of habitat loss, pesticide use, pests, and disease.
One of the most serious threats is the Varroa destructor mite, a parasitic invader that attaches to honeybees, weakening them and spreading viruses throughout the colony. Approximately the size of a pinhead, they can destroy entire hives in a few months if not adequately managed. The surviving bees from a collapsed colony abscond to any neighboring hives that will take them in, carrying the parasitic mites
22 | NW GEORGIA LIVING JULY / AUGUST 2025
A local apiarist reveals the importance of the humble bee and shares how to keep honeybees in your own backyard.
with them. This has become known as a mite bomb, causing further and rapid colony collapse. I experienced this firsthand last year when one of my own hives collapsed due to its mite load, and within six weeks, two more collapsed.
Here in Northwest Georgia, local beekeepers and educators are making meaningful strides to support both bees and those who care for them. Opportunities to learn are abundant, with workshops and hands-on training available through agricultural extension offices. The University of Georgia Bee Program offers an online training course for those eager to expand their knowledge, along with an official beekeeping certification. Even the Georgia Prison Beekeeping Program is providing inmates with education and purpose through the care of hives.
Statewide organizations like the Georgia Beekeepers Association, along with its numerous regional and county chapters, are leading the charge to promote bee health and train both new and experienced beekeepers in sustainable practices. Regional associations in Northwest Georgia, Chickamauga, and Lookout Mountain offer community, mentorship, and resources. Celebrations like the annual Lafayette Honeybee Festival, which was held May 31 this year, bring the community together in support of pollinators.
Conservation efforts are also taking root across the region. Residents are