10 things you can do to help save the bees

1. Stop using insecticides, especially for ‘cosmetic’ gardening.

There are better ways to deal with pests, especially biological controls. Modern pesticides are extremely powerful, and many are long-lasting and highly toxic to bees and other insects. Removing all unnecessary pesticides from the environment is probably the most important thing we can do to save bees.

2. Avoid seeds coated with systemic insecticides.

Be careful: many seeds are now coated with clothianidin and related systemic insecticides, making the entire plant toxic to bees and all other insects that might feed on it. Check your seed packets carefully and, if in doubt, ask the manufacturer for complete information.

3. Read labels on your garden compost – watch out for hidden killers!

Some garden fertilizers are sold that contain imidacloprid, a deadly insecticide made by Bayer. It is often disguised as “vine weevil protection” or similar, but is highly toxic to all insects and soil life, including beneficial earthworms. The insecticide is absorbed by the plants, and if you use this compost in hanging baskets, bees that forage for water in the moist compost may be killed.

4. Create a natural habitat.

If you have space in your yard, allow some of it to go wild to create a safe haven for bees and other insects and small mammals. Gardens that are too tidy are not as friendly to wildlife!

5. Plant bee-friendly flowers.

You can buy wildflower seeds from many seed dealers, and they can be sown on any vacant piece of land, even vacant land that isn’t being cultivated. Some ‘guerrilla gardeners’ even plant them in public parks!

6. Provide a site for hives.

If you have space to spare, you could offer a corner of your garden to a local beekeeper as a place to keep a hive or two. They will need to have regular access, so keep this in mind when considering a site.

7. Make a wild bee house.

Providing a simple box as a place for wild bees to make their home is a short step toward taking up beekeeping, but it can appeal to those who want to keep bees nearby but don’t want to be involved in caring for them. Ideas for such boxes can be found online.

8. Support your local beekeepers.

Many people believe that local honey can help reduce the effects of hay fever and similar allergies, which is a good reason to buy honey from a local beekeeper rather than supermarkets, most of which source honey from thousands. of kilometers away. If you can, find a beekeeper who doesn’t use chemicals on his hives and ask him for comb honey for a real treat.

9. Learn about bees and tell others about it.

Bees are fascinating creatures that relatively few people bother to understand. Read a good book on bees and beekeeping, and who knows, you might decide:

10. Become a beekeeper.

Becoming a beekeeper is easier than you think, and you don’t need any of the expensive equipment from glossy catalogues! Anyone can do everything they need to successfully keep bees with a few simple tools: If you can put up a shelf, you can probably build a hive!