> Maybe fallow fields for native bee nesting should companion Blue Berries so
> native bees could be available to do the job better.
>

Several studies on this in Maine where there are loads of blueberries.
Always come to the same conclusion- cost. It is cheaper and more manageable
to bring in 70,000 hives than to raise any other pollinators. All you need
do is think of habitat, availability, people costs to raise them and
numbers needed.

This question comes up every year especially since there are native
pollinator advocates here in academia who continually prove that native
pollinators are better at pollinating blueberries than honeybees. They are
absolutely right, but academics seldom have to pay bills to cover the real
world costs of their flawed studies.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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