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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Flaming ping-pong balls to be dropped inside Stouts Creek fire ... National Creek fires continue to spread, but evacuation order lifted at Diamond Lake ... Roseburg man among group that subdued gunman on train in France ... Flaming ping-pong balls to be dropped inside Stouts Creek fire ... National Creek fires continue to spread, but evacuation order lifted at Diamond Lake ... Roseburg man among group that subdued gunman on train in France ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: In dry years, bees disappear as flowers fade Bees are harder to find as blooms fade in the hot, dry weather. Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 20, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Aug. 20, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News I have noticed that there are virtually no yellow jackets and very few honey bees and bumble bees around my place this year. Is there any explanation for this? I am very concerned about the lack of honey bees. — John G., Medford Bees may appear to be in short supply this summer because of hot, dry conditions, according to local insect experts. "It's tough, especially in a dry year, for them to forage this time of year. There's not a lot blooming right now," said Rick Hilton, an entomologist and senior faculty researcher with the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center. While the bees are less active in late summer, local beekeepers aren't reporting widespread problems with honey bee hives, he said. Southern Oregon Beekeepers Association President John Jacob said good beekeepers monitor their hives and provide supplemental food if the bees can't find enough blooming plants. Jacob said property owners can help by planting late-blooming flowers. "It could be a real asset to the pollinator community," he said. Many landscaping plants are more drought-tolerant than lawn grass anyway, making them more suited to Southern Oregon's hot, dry summers. Like parking lots, Jacob noted grass-only lawns are virtual food deserts as far as bees are concerned. This spring, area bee experts said fruit trees bloomed weeks earlier than usual. Bee numbers typically die back in the winter, and many spring baby bees weren't mature enough to fly and gather nectar and pollen from the unseasonably early blooms — missing out on a key food source for hives. Experts and regular folks alike noticed a lack of bees buzzing around the blooming trees. As for yellow jackets, Jacob said he is seeing normal numbers at places he frequents. For his part, Hilton has noticed a downturn in the number of yellow jackets this year. "I do see a lot lower population this year," Hilton said. "They usually nest in old rodent burrows. I've observed a cyclical element with their population. But I gave up on trying to predict the highs and lows. I haven't figured out any good indicator for up and down years." Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.     MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 20, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501