Bees are one of the most important creatures on the planet. Not only do they make delicious honey, but these hardworking pollinators are responsible for pollinating a third of what we eat. They also help trees and flowers grow, making the planet more beautiful and the air fresher. It’s time for us to consider just how important the bees population really is and how it affects the whole world

Bee pollen can help us fight off allergies, and bee propolis has natural antibiotic properties. Let’s explore why bees are amazing and learn some ways to help fight against the declining global bee population.

 

The Bee’s Knees

This fanciful expression was re-popularized in the roaring ’20s and was used to describe things that were ‘the tops’ or generally excellent. But do bees have knees? In fact, they do, in a sense. Bees legs have six sections, and each section is connected by a joint, kind of like knees. Interestingly, bees carry pollen to their hive in sacs on their legs. All this to say that bees themselves are the bee’s knees, an amazing species that, through their pollinating efforts, make life on Earth rich in diversity.

Plant a Pollinator Garden

Bee populations face increasing threats to their survival on several fronts, but one of the most significant threats is habitat loss. Encroaching agricultural practices fragment bee populations and weaken their survival rates. You can plant a garden full of flowering plants that bees and other pollinators like butterflies love. Nectar is their primary food source, and female bees also collect pollen to feed their young. 

Plant Native Plants

Native plants adapted to your local climate and soil conditions are the best pollen and nectar sources. Most native plants thrive without additional irrigation or chemical fertilizers and require little maintenance. Bee-friendly plants don’t need a whole lot of space to flourish, just some warm sun, wind protection, and the odd sprinkle of water in times of drought.

Go Chemical Free

Chemicals wreak havoc on bees’ sensitive systems and the bees population! Instead of using synthetics in your garden, use natural solutions and organic options. You can add compost to feed your soil, mulch to deter weeds, and beneficial insects like praying mantises and ladybugs to keep pests away.

Get back to nature this year and plant a garden for pollinators!