LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – While much of the country has seen a significant decline in honey bee populations, local beekeepers say west central Ohio is holding steady.
Members of the Lima Noon Sertoma Club recently heard from fellow member Ty Shelby, who is also part of the Greater Grand Lake Beekeepers Association. Shelby said that while commercial operations nationwide have reported a 70% decrease in honey bee numbers, this region of Ohio has only seen about a 10% decline. As a beekeeper and advocate, Shelby emphasized the importance of education in protecting pollinators and promoting bee-friendly practices.
“All of our modern yards, we spray Roundup and other weed killers, and what we're doing is taking away that food source from the bees,” Shelby said. “That's why people get in their yard. They say we don't have any bees, but we're not promoting the bees through killing our weeds or not planting pollinator-friendly plants.”
He said simple changes can help, such as letting dandelions and clover grow naturally or planting perennials like coneflowers. The Greater Grand Lake Beekeepers Association currently has about 70 active members. They meet the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the St. Marys Library and welcome anyone who keeps bees or is interested in learning more.
