Bring in the Bees! Sweet Ideas to Save the Bees

Happy first day of Spring! The grass is greener, trees and flowers are blossoming and the bees should be soaring around the bursting blooms but sadly there are not many.

The other day when I was watering my strawberries I notice one tiny bee flying around the white delicate blooms. Only one, I know last year we had many more buzzing around the yard and flowers. Bees are an important part of our ecosystem and I wanted to take action to bring my little flying friends back to the yard!

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, bees feed 80 percent of the crops that we eat. They also pollinate alfalfa, a grass that feeds beef and dairy cows. Because of their importance to our food crops, it is more crucial than ever to support these little busy buzzers.

Bee populations are on the decline. Since the 1940s, honeybee colonies have decreased from 5 million to 2.5 million. Ecologists have been scrambling to comprehend why bee populations are dying. It can involve parasites and bacteria to pollution to habitat loss. The more they search for answers, the more time is lost while the bees continue to die.

There are lots of ways you can take part in to help save the world’s bees. And you don’t have to be a beekeeper to do it!

Make a commitment to help the planet and save the bees by attempting one of these bee-friendly ideas:

Avoid pesticides and herbicides they contain chemicals that are extremely harmful to bees and other beneficial insects. Avoid chemical sprays on your plants and yard. Do some research and consider some natural, bee-friendly alternatives.

Plant an array of herbs and flowers that attract bees like mint, lavender, poppies and milkweed. Ideally, include flowers that are native to your area and will bloom at various times of the year.

Set out a small basin of water in your garden so that the bees have a place to re-hydrate and add some twigs and pebbles to provide them a place to land. 

 

Support local beekeepers by purchasing honey directly from your local beekeepers and framer’s markets.

Plant trees for the bees. Bees are not only interested in perennials! In fact, did you know that bees get most of their nectar from trees? When a tree blooms, it provides bees with hundreds if not thousands of blossoms to feed from. Trees are not only a great food source for bees, but they are also essential to a bees habitat. Tree leaves and resin provide nesting material for bees, while their natural wood cavities excellent shelters.

Our flowers, plants and vegetable could not grow without the help of bees, so let’s save the bees!