be a guardian for Bees!

I’ve been very interested in bees lately, and really, everyone should “bee!" While the most obvious product of bees is their delicious honey, it’s their industrious pollination work that keeps us alive.

There are several thousand types of bee species, but it’s estimated that honey bees alone are responsible for pollinating 80% of all flowering plants. Plants such as vegetables, fruits, nuts … in other words – FOOD!

Bees face a myriad of natural threats such as disease, predators, and weather. Most of the other perils come from humans: climate change, pesticide use, and loss of habitat.

Obviously, not everyone can be beekeepers, but most of us can act as bee guardians. The Bee Conservancy lists 10 ways on their website, including planting a bee garden and eliminating the use of pesticides.

by Katy Budge

Another way to help bees is to relax if one starts flying around you. Unless you’re actively annoying the bee or its hive, it’s probably just checking you out. Of course, aggressive bee species are another story, as are people allergic to stings, but most of us can just gently wave the bee away and get on with our day.

Also, don’t panic if you encounter a bee swarm. Essentially, they’re looking for new digs, and will usually move on in a timely manner.

If the swarm or the newly settled hive is too close for comfort, DO NOT reach for poison! Check your local apiary resources for beekeepers that do swarm removal. You’ll not only be helping out the bees, you’ll be finding the beekeeper a new hive.