Bees Please

Bees are fascinating creatures: crucial for our food supply and ecosystem.

It is estimated that bees are responsible for pollinating one-third of the food that we consume.

• Only female bees sting.

• Bees can be solitary or social.

• According to global mortality statistics, lightning causes more deaths than bee stings.

• Bees are facing many threats, including climate change, habitat loss, and pesticide use, leading to a drastic decline in bee populations.

• Individuals and communities can help support bee populations by planting native flowers and trees, eliminating pesticide use, and creating bee-friendly habitats.

Native bees and native plants have coevolved for millions of years, long before the arrival of humans on the planet. In fact, bees and flowering plants share one of the most ancient and successful mutualistic relationships in nature. The earliest fossil evidence of bees dates back over 100 million years, and suggests that bees evolved alongside flowering plants during the late Cretaceous period. As flowering plants diversified and evolved new structures and colors to attract pollinators, bees also evolved new adaptations to feed on and pollinate those plants.

Here are several small steps that individuals can take to support local bees, help ensure their continued existence, and honor the vital role they play in our ecosystem.

1. Plant bee-friendly flowers: Bees rely on flowers as a source of nectar and pollen, so planting bee-friendly flowers in your garden or on your balcony can provide them with a source of food. Furthermore, native bees love native plants.

2. Avoid using pesticides: Many pesticides can be harmful to bees and other pollinators, so avoid the use of pesticides in your garden. Opt for biological control methods like introducing lady bugs, praying mantises, and beneficial nematodes.

3. Leave bare ground: Some solitary bee species prefer nesting in bare ground. Leave small patches of undisturbed soil in your garden to create suitable nesting sites. Avoid mulching or covering these areas with heavy vegetation.

4. Provide nesting tubes: Mason bees and leafcutter bees are cavity-nesting species. You can provide them with nesting tubes by using hollow stems or reed sections of varying diameters. Bundle these tubes together and secure them in a dry, protected area of your garden.

5. Create sheltered areas: Bees appreciate sheltered spots for nesting. Plant shrubs, place rocks, or install small wooden structures to provide protection from wind and extreme weather conditions.

6. Provide water: Bees need a source of water for hydration. Create a shallow water feature like a bird bath or place a shallow dish filled with water and pebbles in your garden. The pebbles will serve as perches for bees to safely access the water.

7. Support local beekeepers: Buying local honey and other bee products can help support local beekeepers and the bees they care for.

8. Spread awareness: Educating others about the importance of bees and the threats they face can help raise awareness and inspire action to protect them.

By taking these small steps, we can all contribute to the conservation and protection of bees and the indispensable role they play in our ecosystem.