The animals that spread pollen have been on the minds of scientists lately. That's because their numbers are going down nationwide. 27 News explains the bee shortage and how it could affect you.

Maybe nature's busiest worker is dying for a break. Whatever the reason might be no one can figure out why bees are disappearing around the country. Beekeepers are calling it colony collapse.

"Bees are dying outside of the hive. They’re opening the boxes and no bees. Its affected thousands of colonies," says Steve Tipton, NE KS Bee Assoc. President.

27 states are reporting large numbers of bees pulling a disappearing act. Kansas isn't on that list but beekeeper Daniel Phiefer says he's a victim.

"In January I checked on colonies that were strong and thriving and in the second week of February they were gone, no dead bees, nothing, just gone," says Phiefer.

So why the fuss over something most of us try to avoid. It's because bees nurture what they come into contact with. When most think of bees they think of honey but actually bees pollinate 1/3 of the food that goes into your mouth.

"Pollinating vegetables, everything from oranges and other citrus fruits, to blueberries in Maine. The big thing in California is the almond crop," says Tipton.

Many theories are flying around about what's killing the bees. But that's been hard to pin down because the bees’ bodies can't be found. Beekeepers hope researchers figure something out soon because it could affect not only them but also you.

"Down the road its going to worse before its better we'll feel the effects of no fruit and vegetables so price will go up because of this," says Phiefer.

Hearing that's enough to give someone a newfound love for a busy bee.

Beekeeping labs around the nation continue to look for a cause. This week researchers with the University of California, San Francisco reported the bee shortage could be from a disease that affects bees in Asia being transported here.