Resources
April 2018
The Business on Bees: How You Can Prevent Their Decline
by guest contributor Christy Erickson
Christy Erickson's aim is to collect and distribute the most accurate and up-to-date resources on the bee crisis and information on how to help in the community. She is the founder of Savingourbees.
Though often known only for their sting and their sweet honey, bees are more important to humans and the environment than most people realize. They are the only insect in the world that provides food for human consumption. Without bees we couldn’t even have chocolate! Sadly, research shows that bees are in danger; their populations across the world, but specifically in North America, are in decline.
Most of us have that moment, often in early childhood, running around the yard barefoot or sticking our noses into a pungent red rose and -- BAM -- a brief, but intense sting. Just once is enough to make us hesitant around bees well into our adult years. But, honestly, bees don’t sting nearly as often as we think; in fact, some entire bee species and most male bees don’t even sting at all! That fear is one small reason why bees are facing an unknown future. One of the major reasons bees are dying off is one that scientists don’t quite understand -- Colony Collapse Disorder. The cause is unknown, but theories include:
That’s why it’s so important we reclaim the beauty of the bee. We’re not just talking about the devastation of one creature if bees become extinct. Many of our earth’s inhabitants, including humans, will be seriously impacted by the extinction of plants pollinated by bees, which can also hit overall food production. Believe it or not, this could take a serious toll on the U.S. economy! One study shows that honey bees contributed $19 billion of agricultural crops in 2010. Bees play an important role in the production of broccoli, asparagus, cantaloupes, cucumbers, pumpkins, blueberries, watermelons, almonds, apples, cranberries and cherries. In other words, bees are very hard workers!
However, all hope isn’t lost for the honey bee. Individuals, even doing a small part in their own backyards, can make a big impact on the future of the bee.
Plant a bee garden
You can increase bees’ access to their favorite flowers by planning a year-round garden in your backyard. In the spring, bees can pollinate crocus, hyacinth, borage, calendula and wild lilac, creating an explosion of color in your backyard. Summer bees delight in echinacea, snapdragons foxglove, and hosta, while in the fall they prefer zinnias, sedum, asters, witch hazel and goldenrod. Plant these flowers in your yard to attract bees, while also keeping them healthy and whole.
Buy organic and local foods
Eating organic foods means you’re fueling your body with fruits and vegetables grown without chemicals and pesticides, which are harmful to both humans and bees. When you buy locally-harvested honey, you are supporting small beekeepers who tend to be more concerned with the health of their hives than large corporations. You can also make a big impact by purchasing products made with local honey, such as an organic bakery that uses honey from your region or a small mom-and-pop coffee shop that provides local honey as a sweetener option.
Avoid using chemicals and pesticides
When you plant your vegetable garden or start to treat your lawn, avoid using toxic chemicals and pesticides. It’s tempting, especially when you are frustrated by pesky beetles or bugs that like to snack on your kale, but remember that there are many earth and bee-friendly alternatives. Believe it or not there are actually some bug-repellant plants you can add to your garden as an all-natural means of keeping insects at bay. You can also spread coffee grounds around your plants (which also adds rich nitrogen to the soil) or try insecticidal soap, but make sure you get the kind that is harmless to beneficial bugs like bees. For more information on creating the perfect bee-friendly garden, check out these tips.
Eliminate the fear
Be more bee friendly. Understand that these small, but mighty, insects are much more than just an occasional sting. Most bees aren’t aggressive and half of them don’t even sting, so when you encounter someone trying to eliminate bees from fear, do your best to educate them on the facts.
Bees are an important part of our environment and our lives. Buying local honey, organic produce and educating your neighbors are a few ways you can help protect them from a bleak future. Planting a bee garden will not only brighten their lives, it will also brighten yours.
The Business on Bees: How You Can Prevent Their Decline
by guest contributor Christy Erickson
Christy Erickson's aim is to collect and distribute the most accurate and up-to-date resources on the bee crisis and information on how to help in the community. She is the founder of Savingourbees.
Though often known only for their sting and their sweet honey, bees are more important to humans and the environment than most people realize. They are the only insect in the world that provides food for human consumption. Without bees we couldn’t even have chocolate! Sadly, research shows that bees are in danger; their populations across the world, but specifically in North America, are in decline.
Most of us have that moment, often in early childhood, running around the yard barefoot or sticking our noses into a pungent red rose and -- BAM -- a brief, but intense sting. Just once is enough to make us hesitant around bees well into our adult years. But, honestly, bees don’t sting nearly as often as we think; in fact, some entire bee species and most male bees don’t even sting at all! That fear is one small reason why bees are facing an unknown future. One of the major reasons bees are dying off is one that scientists don’t quite understand -- Colony Collapse Disorder. The cause is unknown, but theories include:
- Viruses and infections
- Mites
- Immune-suppressing stress
- Habitat changes
- Inadequate nutrition
That’s why it’s so important we reclaim the beauty of the bee. We’re not just talking about the devastation of one creature if bees become extinct. Many of our earth’s inhabitants, including humans, will be seriously impacted by the extinction of plants pollinated by bees, which can also hit overall food production. Believe it or not, this could take a serious toll on the U.S. economy! One study shows that honey bees contributed $19 billion of agricultural crops in 2010. Bees play an important role in the production of broccoli, asparagus, cantaloupes, cucumbers, pumpkins, blueberries, watermelons, almonds, apples, cranberries and cherries. In other words, bees are very hard workers!
However, all hope isn’t lost for the honey bee. Individuals, even doing a small part in their own backyards, can make a big impact on the future of the bee.
Plant a bee garden
You can increase bees’ access to their favorite flowers by planning a year-round garden in your backyard. In the spring, bees can pollinate crocus, hyacinth, borage, calendula and wild lilac, creating an explosion of color in your backyard. Summer bees delight in echinacea, snapdragons foxglove, and hosta, while in the fall they prefer zinnias, sedum, asters, witch hazel and goldenrod. Plant these flowers in your yard to attract bees, while also keeping them healthy and whole.
Buy organic and local foods
Eating organic foods means you’re fueling your body with fruits and vegetables grown without chemicals and pesticides, which are harmful to both humans and bees. When you buy locally-harvested honey, you are supporting small beekeepers who tend to be more concerned with the health of their hives than large corporations. You can also make a big impact by purchasing products made with local honey, such as an organic bakery that uses honey from your region or a small mom-and-pop coffee shop that provides local honey as a sweetener option.
Avoid using chemicals and pesticides
When you plant your vegetable garden or start to treat your lawn, avoid using toxic chemicals and pesticides. It’s tempting, especially when you are frustrated by pesky beetles or bugs that like to snack on your kale, but remember that there are many earth and bee-friendly alternatives. Believe it or not there are actually some bug-repellant plants you can add to your garden as an all-natural means of keeping insects at bay. You can also spread coffee grounds around your plants (which also adds rich nitrogen to the soil) or try insecticidal soap, but make sure you get the kind that is harmless to beneficial bugs like bees. For more information on creating the perfect bee-friendly garden, check out these tips.
Eliminate the fear
Be more bee friendly. Understand that these small, but mighty, insects are much more than just an occasional sting. Most bees aren’t aggressive and half of them don’t even sting, so when you encounter someone trying to eliminate bees from fear, do your best to educate them on the facts.
Bees are an important part of our environment and our lives. Buying local honey, organic produce and educating your neighbors are a few ways you can help protect them from a bleak future. Planting a bee garden will not only brighten their lives, it will also brighten yours.