Save the Bees

We must save the bees! There has been a big reduction in the honey bee population, up to 70% in the US, Canada and Europe. They are falling ill and dying. This is called colony collape disease, and researchers have not found the exact cause.

There are several theories: pesticides, fungicides and herbicides, monocultures which reduce bio-diversity, habitat loss, parasitic mites, and even EMF waves and cell phones are a possible cause. Genetically engineered crops could be contributing, or it could be due to a virus. It seems likely that a combination of factors weakens the bees.

We must save the bees, because they are nature's farmers. Bees pollinate our food. Pollination, the transfer of pollen from one flower to another, is needed to create fruits and seeds.

Bees pollinate about 1/3 of the US crops, including almonds, peaches, soybeans, apples, pears, onions, broccoli, carrots, sunflowers, cherries, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries watermelons, cantaloupes, cucumber and strawberries.

Bees give us so much. Health food folks like me use wild raw honey, bee pollen, royal jelly, bee propolis and beeswax candles. Bees are our friends, they help us survive.

We do have other pollinator insects, like wasps, which can help to pollinate a small garden. But the honeybees are needed for large scale farming. They are even shipped around the country to the fields of crops. The almond crop in California relies on trucked in honey bees.

Is it Pesticides?

We do have some proof that pesticides are a contributing factor to colony collapse disease. In May 2008, Germany banned the use of a pesticide known as "Poncho", produced by Bayer corporation. German beekeepers reported losing over 50% of their hive after Poncho was applied in the fields.

Even the EPA, in a fact sheet from 2003, described Poncho as highly toxic to bees. So no wonder.

Organic beekeepers are seeing less or no colony collapse disease in their hives. Organic beekeeping can help to save the bees.

The bees are messengers, telling us to change our agriculture to more natural ways and showing us that we are intricately connected even to the smallest parts of nature. We need to listen soon!

How can We Save the Bees? Here are Some Ideas:

--Add native plants to your garden. Native plants grow easier in your climate and require less water. bees like them.

--Plant flowers in clumps four feet or so if possible.

--Let some soil be left bare. Many native bees tunnel and live in the soil but heavy mulch or plastic liners can block them.

--Avoid pesticides and monocultures. If you plant a diverse garden, filled with flowers, herbs and vegies, you won't have so many bugs. Different colors, smells and textures confuses the bugs and they can't find their "lunch".

--Create a natural habitat. Let some of your lawn or garden go wild. Leave some weeds, or plant tall grasses, lavender, sunflowers, dandelions, clover.

--Support all pollinators, including bees, butterflies, moths, pollinating beetles, hummingbirds, and bats. They need food, water, shelter and a place to rear their young. Plant flowers of many shapes and sizes and flowers that bloom throughout the season. Provide water with shallow pools, mud puddles and bird baths. Leave out twigs and string for nesting materials.

--Flowers and herbs that bees like: poppies, basil, flame acanthus, red clover, thyme, catnip, rosemary, yellow, blue and purple flowers, bee balm, marigold, daisy, butterfly weed, aromatic herbs such as basil, mint, parsley and lavender.

--Avoid seeds coated with systemic pesticides. Choose organic seeds, and open pollinated, heirloom varieties.

--Choose organic food. We can create a world of less pesticides.

--Buy local bee products, like organic wild clover honey, beeswax candles, royal jelly, bee pollen, bee propolis. Support organic beekeepers.

A Wild Garden can Save the Bees

Consider replacing part or all of your lawn. Its more fun to plant flowers than to mow grass anyway.

I have a wilder garden, and I am enjoying more bees, birds, butterflies, and lizards. I leave tree branches in a pile for critters and birds to hide in and perch on. It's less work and it feels more alive.

Yes, even snakes are (almost) welcome. I saw a garden snake and I survived! I am getting used to all critters. What I really want to see is earthworms.

It's fun to enjoy colorful flowers, fragrances from herbs, and watch the bees and butterflies from a garden bench.

And you can find easy care native plants. Check out your local native plant society to see what grows well in your yard, garden or deck. A container garden works, too.

Dig in the dirt, listen to the birds, welcome and save the bees. It is healing for all.