The Bees go Buzzing

As pollinators, bees play a part in every aspect of the ecosystem. They support the growth of trees, flowers, and other plants, which serve as food and shelter.
Bees are perfectly adapted to pollinate, helping plants grow, breed and produce food. They do so by transferring pollen between flowering plants and therefore keeping the cycle of life turning.
Globally there are more honey bees than other types of bee and pollinating insects, so it is the world's most important pollinator of food crops. It is estimated that one third of the food that we consume each day relies on pollination mainly by bees, but also by other insects, birds and bats.
We are taught from a young age that bees carry pollen from plant to plant and flower to flower in a process called pollination. In fact, bees are responsible for pollinating nearly 85% of all food crops for humans, as well as numerous crops that grow the food fed to cattle.
Queen: One queen runs the whole hive. Her job is to lay the eggs that will spawn the hive’s next generation of bees. The queen also produces chemicals that guide the behavior of the other bees.
Workers: these are all female and their roles are to forage for food (pollen and nectar from flowers), build and protect the hive, clean and circulate air by beating their wings. Workers are the only bees most people ever see flying around outside the hive.
Drones: These are the male bees, and their purpose is to mate with the new queen. Several hundred live in each hive during the spring and summer. But come winter, when the hive goes into survival mode, the drones are kicked out.
Sadly, over the past 15 years, colonies of bees have been disappearing, and the reason remains unknown. Referred to as ‘colony collapse disorder’, billions of honey bees across the world are leaving their hives, never to return. In some regions, up to 90% of bees have disappeared!
We can all do our bit to support these brilliant bugs, gang! Why not plant flowers rich in nectar, such as lavender and bluebells, which will help bees find the food they need? Also, be sure to choose local British honey, too, which will support our honey bees and their beekeepers.
Unfortunately, it’s getting tougher for honey bees to survive. Their population is dwindling due to loss of habitat, pesticide and insecticide use, and parasites.
Humans benefit greatly from a healthy honey bee population. Because the future of food depends on healthy pollinators, it’s time for everyone - even the kids! - to make honey bees a priority.
There has been a noticeable and steady decline in the bee population, which scientists and beekeepers believe may be caused by a combination of factors, including parasites, loss of habitat and increased exposure to pesticides and insecticides. Although the problem is complex, it’s not too late to help preserve pollinators - and secure the future of food.
Go wild. Let part of your lawn grow without mowing. Bees love flowering weeds and grasses.
Grow native plants. A patch of wildflowers will add color and a nectar source for bees. Cultivate a landscape with diverse colors, shapes, sizes and bloom times. Don’t have a yard? Grow pollinator-friendly plants in an outdoor space in your city. ( Seed flings are perfect for tossing into abandoned lots or other urban green spaces. Want to learn how to make one? Download our Inside the Buzz At-Home Guide to find out how.)
Create a bee “pond.” Bees can’t swim or get their wings wet, but they need water, too! Try filling a shallow pie pan with pebbles and water, so bees have somewhere to land and sip some water. Bonus: no cleaning required! Bees actually love “dirty” water, which is why they love the water that gathers in saucers under flower pots.
Ditch the toxic stuff. Some of the products we use on plants and veggies hurt bees and other pollinators. Try a sprinkling of cayenne pepper around pestered plants. Sometimes the best method is to pick unwanted bugs right off!
Buy local, organic produce. Support farmers who are doing their best to support bees. Anytime you choose organic food, you know pesticides that can harm our pollinators were not used. Bee on the lookout for a rainbow of veggies and fruits, which contain nutrients that can help our bodies stay healthy - all brought to you by bees! And don’t forget to buy local honey! You’ll help support a thriving local honey bee ecology, which means that more food can be grown locally.
Please don’t swat! Honey bees very rarely sting, but they can be curious creatures. If a honeybee approaches you, be still as she checks to see if you have any nectar. Once she knows you’re not a flower, she’ll buzz along. While other kinds of insects can sting, like wasps and yellow jackets, they look very different from honeybees. Learn how to recognize honeybees so you’ll know they mean no harm. Once you know what a honeybee looks like, help your friends learn, too!

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