By Alyson Lundstrom
Bees are more than just a sign that your garden is a pollinator hangout. Over 35% of global crops rely on them. The mission to Save The Bee, is the mission to secure our food system.
The Bee Conservancy estimates that 1 in 4 species of bees is at risk of extinction. What does this mean for humans? A lot. From fruits to nuts and vegetables, one in three bites of your food is a product of bee pollination. This means the food security of a global population of nearly 8 billion people is dependent on these hard-working insects.
What Can We Do To Support Pollinators
Fortunately, supporting pollinators doesn’t mean you need to gear up in a beekeeper suit. There are plenty of ways to give thanks to the insects that literally put food on our plates without managing a beehive.
1. Plant Bee Friendly
One of the most significant threats to bees is a lack of safe habitat. As the world develops, there are fewer places they can naturally make a safe home and find a variety of nutritious food sources.
By planting a bee-friendly garden, you can create a habitat full of plants and trees that make good homes and create a rich source of pollen and nectar. You don't need a grand garden to make this gesture; even window boxes, flower pots, and planters can help. Think milkweed, native flowers, and even some types of trees.
In fact, bees get most of their nectar from trees! When a tree blooms, it can provide hundreds of blooms that are a great food source for bees. In addition, trees make an essential habitat providing nesting material for bees and excellent shelter options. If you don’t have the space to commit to planting a tree, you can still participate by joining tree-planting parties in your area.
2. Go Chemical-Free
Skin the pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides in your garden. These chemicals can be harmful to bees and wreak havoc on their sensitive systems. Instead, consider organic products or natural solutions to do away with garden pests.
3. Host a Bee Bath
Foraging is hard work, and bees get thirsty after a long day foraging for nectar and pollinating our food crops. You can create a bee watering hole by filling a shallow bird bath or bowl with clean water, with pebbles and stones inside. The bees will land on the stones and rehydrate.
4. Create Homes for Native Bees
Surprisingly, with the exception of honeybees, most bees are solitary creatures. Over 70% of solitary bees live underground, while 30% live in holes inside trees. In contrast, species like bumble bees can build their nests in undisturbed land. You can provide a safe haven for them by leaving an island of undisturbed land for them in your garden. Bee apartments are also easy to create using old stumps with holes drilled into the center.
5. Support Local Beekeepers and Organizations
If you don’t have the capacity to do any of the above, consider supporting local beekeepers. The easiest way to show your appreciation is to buy locally-made honey products like soaps, lotions, and beeswax candles.
In addition, local raw honey is not only delicious, but is also made from the pollen of local flora and may help with health issues like seasonal allergies.
The Bottom Line
Three out of four of our major food crops worldwide, including fruits, nuts, and seeds, depend in part on bee pollination. Human activity is what has created downward pressure of bee populations globally, and it will take human activity to make positive change.
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