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8 Small Things You Can Do To Help Bees Survive
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8 Small Things You Can Do To Help Bees Survive

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Bees are the backbone of the environment as we know it, helping many plant and animal species by pollinating. “More than 20,000 bee species around the world are the most important group of pollinators for farming and wild plants,” a representative from The Honeybee Conservancy told Bored Panda. We can thank bees for such delicious produce as potatoes, tangerines, apples and so, so much more! “One in three mouthfuls of food we eat benefits from bee pollination” the representative added.

Unfortunately, as precious as the bees are to our ecosystem, there has been an increasing worry regarding their numbers and what it means to our future. “Populations are declining due to a variety of factors including human development, pesticides, disease and a changing climate,” The Honeybee Conservancy representative explained. That’s why various organizations and volunteers are banding together to help out our little pollinators by spreading awareness and investing time and money to pass legislation that would help preserve many bee species by banning various insecticides.

Update (09/03): The article previously stated that it is not recommended to give bees sugar water, especially in large quantities by leaving a bowl of sweetened water outside, however The Honeybee Conservancy representative clarified that the information was misleading and it is alright to give bees sugar water in most scenarios.

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    1. Protect bee habitat

    Image credits: Myriams-Fotos

    One of the threats to our bees is reducing habitat. We all can help bees in urban spaces by creating more gardens, green areas and habitat corridors with nectar-rich plants such as wildflowers. And if you think that they require huge fields full of flowers, that is not true! Green spaces can be established on street corners, balconies, while flowers can be planted along roadways. If you want to take a step further, you can get involved with the local government to advocate sensible solutions to the expanding urban areas.

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    2. Avoid harmful pesticides

    Image credits: rostichep

    Synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides are some of the dangers that bees face. Avoid using pesticides in your garden and if you must treat your garden, go for organic options and spray at night since pollinators are least active at that time. You can also use beneficial insects such as praying mantises and ladybugs to help you out in the garden. “Avoid chemicals belonging to the neonicotinoid family at all costs, as they are especially harmful to bees” The Honeybee Conservancy page notes.

    3. Create a Bee Bath

    Image credits: Seachild

    You can fill a shallow dish or container with clean water and add some pebbles and stones inside so that they poke out of the water. This will be a perfect retreat for the bees to drink and rest as they take a break from foraging and pollinating.

    4. Build homes for solitary and bumble bees

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    Image credits: Danie Ware

    Even though it is a common knowledge that bees live in a hive, it’s only really honeybess that do. Most of the types of bees are solitary creatures with 70% of bees living underground and 30% living in holes inside of trees or hollow stems. You can buy a “Bee condo” or “Bee hotel” online or build one of your own to help create some living spaces for those lone insects. After all, even if they won’t bring you honey, the little bees pollinate surrounding plants!

    5. Plant a bee-friendly garden

    Image credits: Max Pixel

    You can help out bees by planting a bee-friendly garden and providing them a place to rest, pollinate and forage. Some helpful tips offered by The Honeybee Conservancy include:
    • Avoid hybrid flowers, which may be sterile and have little or no nectar or pollen
    • Skip the double flowers, which lack pollen
    • Make sure you’ll have blooms for bees year round.
    • Plant flowers in patches – bees like to focus on one flower type at a time
    • Leave an undisturbed plot for ground-nesting bees

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    6. Plant trees

    Image credits: Emilia_Baczynska

    I bet we all imagine bees flying around in the garden, sitting on a lone sunflower or digging between the petals of a rose. But bees love trees just as much as perennials! In fact, bees get most of their nectar from trees! They’re not only an excellent source of food, but a great habitat. “Tree leaves and resin provide nesting material for bees, while their natural wood cavities make excellent shelters” The Honeybee Conservancy page explains. While deforestation problem is still relevant, you can do your part by caring for and planting trees and joining communities with similar interest in tree preservaton!

    7. Support your local beekeeper

    Image credits: bernswaelz

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    One way to help the bees out is to start a honeybee hive, however, not all of us have the means and space for it. A good alternative to that would be supporting a local beekeeper. They work hard to look after and nurture their bees and their efforts help out both, the bees and people around! Best way to support beekeepers is to buy their produce. Most will have honey and beeswax products to sell, however, there are some who create soaps, lotions, and beeswax candles. And if you buy honey locally, chances are that bees collected from your flowers!

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    8. Sponsor a Hive

    Image credits: Alexas_Fotos

    Another choice for those who can’t afford to start their own hive is to sponsor initiatives that build hives. The Honeybee Conservancy is working to install stocked honeybee hives and solitary bee homes in communities across the United States. You can help them out by donating or looking for organizations around with similar initiatives. “By sponsoring a hive, you aren’t only helping to save the bees, but to improve communities across the country”

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    Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

    Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

    Author, Community member

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    As a writer and image editor for Bored Panda, Giedrė crafts posts on many different topics to push them to their potential. She's also glad that her Bachelor’s degree in English Philology didn’t go to waste (although collecting dust in the attic could also be considered an achievement of aesthetic value!) Giedrė is an avid fan of cats, photography, and mysteries, and a keen observer of the Internet culture which is what she is most excited to write about. Since she's embarked on her journalistic endeavor, Giedrė has over 600 articles under her belt and hopes for twice as much (fingers crossed - half of them are about cats).

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    Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

    Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

    Author, Community member

    As a writer and image editor for Bored Panda, Giedrė crafts posts on many different topics to push them to their potential. She's also glad that her Bachelor’s degree in English Philology didn’t go to waste (although collecting dust in the attic could also be considered an achievement of aesthetic value!) Giedrė is an avid fan of cats, photography, and mysteries, and a keen observer of the Internet culture which is what she is most excited to write about. Since she's embarked on her journalistic endeavor, Giedrė has over 600 articles under her belt and hopes for twice as much (fingers crossed - half of them are about cats).

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    Barry B. Benson
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Finally! A good post on Bored Panda! This amazing work of art needs to be honored by both bees and humans alike.

    Broken Bay
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When using ladybugs to keep bugs away, choose a species that is native to your area.

    Michelle-Michal Korn
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do ladybugs keep mosquitoes away? I have been having a TERRIBLE time with mosquitoes ever since October. I'm eaten alive day in & day out moreso once it becomes dark out. I also can't sleep b/c they buzz around my head & wake me up. Last night I slept maybe one straight hour. : ( I've tried EVERYTING & nothing works. Someone told me where I live they are very strong & nothing detracts them. I don't use chemicals.

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    Barry B. Benson
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Finally! A good post on Bored Panda! This amazing work of art needs to be honored by both bees and humans alike.

    Broken Bay
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When using ladybugs to keep bugs away, choose a species that is native to your area.

    Michelle-Michal Korn
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do ladybugs keep mosquitoes away? I have been having a TERRIBLE time with mosquitoes ever since October. I'm eaten alive day in & day out moreso once it becomes dark out. I also can't sleep b/c they buzz around my head & wake me up. Last night I slept maybe one straight hour. : ( I've tried EVERYTING & nothing works. Someone told me where I live they are very strong & nothing detracts them. I don't use chemicals.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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