Bees killed for winter?

[raweater]

Someone just told me beekeepers kill (gas) all their bees before each winter as it costs less to buy new bees next year than keeping them alive all winter. A quick internet research confirmed this is done by many beekeepers.

Does anyone know if it's 95% of beekeepers doing this or is it 5% or in between?

I had switched from agave to honey when studies started showing how bad agave is, but now it seems like I'll need a new sweetener if the above is common practice.

What other sweeteners are ok health and environmental wise?

Thanks

[MysticTree]

I think this is generally untrue but it is a good reason to source local honey where you can talk with the beekeeper and learn about his or her bees. I am hoping to get bees next year. I certainly won't be killing mine and I will only take surplus honey. My bees will have honey over winter and they will not be killed. I have not heard of this practice. Bees are too important to kill.

[fastfreedom]

I don't know if that would be true. Maybe a hoax of some sort. It just doesn't make any sense to kill off the hives. Though I don't honestly know for sure. If it is a practice by some keepers then I would imagine it is a very small percentage of em. The beekeeper doesn't need to do anything to overwinter their bees other than leave em enough honey stores.

Best bet is to source local honey like MysticTree said.....or start your own hive, they'll share their honey with you if you aren't greedy.

[Raw Angel Mom]

Because of towel that are built so people can use their cell phone etc... is suspected to harm the bees. Many bee keepers use white sugar instead of leaving honey to the bee.

Now what you mention, wouldn't shock me if this would be true. They used to fix by component electronic equipment but now to save money, they replace the whole board and many times the entire assembly. I know this has nothing to do with the bees but bees are value as object and not as a living thing. This wouldn't be surprising me to save a couple box in the share holder, they would do such a thing.

Without question, find a good bee keeper that you know he values his bees. The one that sell me honey, leave honey for the bees and he does everything he cans so they can survive the winter. It is a shame that bees aren't seen as a living thing that should be honor.

Anyway, the more of us that wake up and do their little share to make this world better count far more then the opposite.

All the best!