Helping the Bees
Honeybees are disappearing all over the world…what can we do to help prevent the extinction of a species? Returning lost habitat, planting bee luring flowers, eliminating the use of pesticides and herbicides, and building bee houses are just some simple things we all can do to help…
Last year in America, a third of the honeybee population disappeared, which came after losing a third of the population the year before. This is happening all over the world. Without some serious intervention, we are looking at the very real possibility of the extinction of the honeybee.
There are many theories concerning the reasons for their decline, none of them yet confirmed. But, regardless of the official reason, one of the theories that has a real impact is the loss of habitat. As more and more houses are built, and suburban sprawl widens, the subsequent deforestation rids the bees of tree cavities to nest in. The fields, once filled with flowers, turn to sterile, chemical-laced lawns, and the few flowers that do get planted in yards often do not provide food for the bees.
Some simple things one can do to help honeybees is to refrain from using pesticides and herbicides on lawns and to plant flowers that attract and nourish the bees. Some of the bee-favored flowers are Asters, Clover, Marigolds, Poppies, Sunflowers, Buttercups, Clematis,
Crocuses, Echinacea, Foxglove, Geraniums, Hollyhocks, Hyacinth, Roses, Sedum, Snowdrops,
Tansy, and Zinnias, plus many vegetable plants, herbs, and flowering trees and shrubs.
The decline of the honeybee has created a serious problem for everyone, for we are losing a key pollinator. Without pollination, our very food supply is threatened. One way to help ease the pressure off the Honeybee is to aid the Blue Orchard Mason Bee, by making homes for them to nest in. They are very industrious pollinators, a single female bee pollinating over 1000 blossoms a day! The male Blue Orchard Mason Bee cannot sting and the female rarely stings, they are not aggressive and safe to have around your home. They are great to watch and a perfect project for families to work on together, as it is very easy and enjoyable.
Here is a link to instructions for making your own Blue Orchard Mason Bee house. It is important to get the houses up soon, as the bees are starting to wake up and will be seeking homes. If you don’t have time or really don’t want to make your own bee house, here is a link where you can purchase one. I am making mine this week and will post a picture once I get it set up!
Let’s do our part to help the creatures whose homes and food we have taken away, and whom we cannot live without!
MoonSpiral
Thankyou for this important information. I am working to plant more flowers in my backyard for this very reason, and I will go and check out the link on the houses!
doanart replied
Great! Just make sure that the flowers you plant are good for bees, as some actually don’t provide nectar for them, even though they are pretty.
linskudd
Great idea and relatively easy to make. As for flowers, mostly mine are country-cottage type (as suggested by yourself) but I have still noticed a decline in honey-bees.
doanart replied
I don’t think the Blue Orchard Mason Bee lives in the UK, but there are other types of bees that nest in holes, so the bee house would be welcome and from what you say, it sounds like much needed! We need to keep the plants pollinated, and if the Honeybee needs some help, these other bees will be happy to assist!
linskudd
No, I realised we didn’t have the blue orchid bee (which has such a lovely name) ;o) – but we have mason, mining & carpenter bees alongside the usual honey, bumble & carpenter bees. I have seen them around. The carpenter will also bore into lose cement between the bricks of houses! Not so sure this is a good idea! So, it seems like a good idea to provide them with a place to nest! ;o)) They sell similar boxes here for over-wintering ladybirds etc which is another great idea.
linskudd
Aaargh! Should read … honey, bumble & carder bees!!!
Hopeless! My brain is not in gear today!