@Nimthiriel I think the symbiotic relationship we have is parasitic symbiosis. I don't think we do anything good for bees. But I am grateful for their work.

@Comanchegyrl We actually do! Bees can leave any time they don't like where they are, and they often do if they're unhappy. Also, when they produce too much honey (which they always do), it draws other animals (eg bears) to raid their hive for it. Bee keepers make sure that there is never enough surplus for this, but enough for the bees. They also deal with parasites (mites etc) and that the queen is healthy to prevent swarming.

@Comanchegyrl Friend of mine is an apiarist :)

@Nimthiriel That's true, but we also spray a lot of chemicals that harm them and we have decimated the wildflower population in favor of grain crops and destroyed natural habitats. I'd say it all balance out, except that. bee populations are on the decline worldwide.

@Comanchegyrl Yes, pesticides are a huge problem. Here in Australia, honeybees are fine but our native bees (which are solitary and don't produce honey) are in big trouble :(

@Nimthiriel Although honeybees aren't native here, we do have wild honeybees. There are at least 3 hives in our pecan orchard now. No Killer Bees yet though!

@Comanchegyrl Oh good! Killer bees are not much fun, I imagine!