Bees across the world are in trouble. Their numbers are in decline due to factors like excessive use of chemical pesticides, which are harmful to them, and the destruction of the natural habitats where they live and thrive. However, there are a few things that you and others can do to help conserve the bees and encourage an increase in their population.
Why are bees so important?
Bees are important because they are excellent pollinators. As they buzz around gathering nectar to feed themselves, they also spread pollen from plant to plant. Pollination is what allows plants to grow, and without it, we would see a lot fewer plants in the wild.
We would also find that the crops we rely on for our own food would grow less readily, which would soon start to become a problem. The vast majority of plants rely on bees to pollinate them, so it’s important that everyone does their bit to protect them.
Create a bee-friendly garden
One of the problems facing bees is that there aren’t enough bee-friendly environments for them to live and feed in. Individuals can do their bit to help with that by ensuring that their gardens are as bee-friendly as possible. The best way to do that is by encouraging the growth of wildflowers and other plants that bees love to gather nectar from them.
An easy way to do this is by laying turf designed to encourage the growth of wildflowers. You can buy this and other bee-friendly gardening equipment at arbourlandscapesolutions.co.uk.
It’s also effective to just not mow your lawn as often! When you mow your lawn, you prevent wildflowers and weeds that help bees to thrive from growing. By mowing less often, the bees have more food.
Minimize the use of chemicals
Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are harmful to bees and other insects that are vital for the health of the planet as a whole. You can do a great deal to help the bees by not using them.
You can also help by supporting farmers and food brands that are committed to minimizing the use of chemicals that are harmful to bees.
Build a bee bath
It’s thirsty work for bees as they forage and look for nectar! You can help them along their way by creating a bee bath that will help them to take a drink and cool off. All you need to do is fill a shallow dish with water and then lay colorful pebbles along the bottom so that they are just breaking the surface of the water. This gives the bees somewhere to stand and drink without completely submerging them in the water.
Support local beekeepers
Local beekeepers are usually committed to the health and well-being of their bees. They will have hives full of bees that they are trying to help grow in numbers, so anything you can do to help your local beekeepers will help the bees. Buying local honey is one way, and you could talk with them and see if they have any suggestions for local events and initiatives that you could be a part of.
