The honey bee is in a state of crisis. Bees around the world are responsible for 80% of all pollination. This means everything from flowers to food is maintained by these incredible creatures. Without them, we would be unable to produce 70 of the top 100 food crops that are grown in the world. This year for World Bee Day, we want to highlight this devastating development and highlight what you can do to help save the bees.
What’s happening to the bees?
There are various reasons that bee colonies around the world are struggling to survive. Unfortunately, they share a common thread – human activity.
One of the largest reasons for bee loss is pesticides. Over the years, in an effort to preserve crops, farms have been using large amounts of pesticides to keep unwanted critters at bay. In fact, scientists have noted over 150 different chemical residues in bee pollen. These pesticides kill large numbers of bees, reducing colony size and causing further suffering due to the worker bee shortage.
Habitat destruction is also a significant part of the latest loss of bees. As human activity has grown exponentially, we’ve naturally expanded into habitats that are called home by millions of creatures. The displacement of the bees means less pollination in a particular area, a detrimental outcome for bother bees and humans.
How can we save the bees?
While saving the bees may seem like a daunting task, there are several actions we can take to help restore honey bee vitality.
Plant flowers that will attract bees – Plants like Bee Balm, Snap Dragon, Hostas, Evening Primrose, and other wildflowers are particular favorites of honey bees. Adding these gorgeous additions to your garden provides pollinators with food and shelter.
Avoid using pesticides in flowering areas – Chances are your garden is home to thousands of pollinating insects, including bees. Skipping out on the pesticides ensures that the pollen and nectar being produced will not be contaminated.
Allow wildflowers to blossom – Common “weeds” like dandelion and white clover may seem innocuous, or even annoying, but these may be some of the most readily available flowers nearest to the hive. Let them, and the bees, flourish!
Want to learn more about conservation?
Our beauty brand partner Intelligent Nutrients is leading the conservation efforts with their retreat, The Acreage at Osceola. Once the home of Horst Rechelbacher, founder of Intelligent Nutrients, this historic property is a model for sustainable conservation methods and is a world-renowned center for pollinator research. Their interactive on-site education and events make it the perfect place for creatives and conservationists alike. Visit https://www.theacreageatosceola.org to learn more!
