7 Ways to Save the Bees

April showers have brought May flowers. Hopefully the bees have shown up, too. Bees are beyond important to life on Earth. If you’re not in the know about why bees are important, check out the next section. If you know how amazing bees are and want to know what you can do to help skip ahead to How to Save the Bees.

Why Bees are Important

The Food We Eat

Bees are vitally important in the creation of 1/3 of the world’s food supply. According to the FDA, approximately 250,000 species of flowering plants depend upon the transfer of pollen to reproduce. A small amount of these plants produce a pollen that can be blown by the wind. The rest require birds, bats or insects (such as bees) to move the pollen. The FDA also states that more than 90 crops rely upon bee pollination.

So saving the bees is important if you enjoy eating: apples, melons, pumpkin, avocado, squash, and almonds. Those are just a few of the foods that would no longer be available without bees.

Honey and Other Bee Products

A bee hive produces six products: honey, royal jelly, pollen, bees wax, propolis and venom. All are collected and used for various purposes. Let’s start with honey.

Honey and Royal Jelly

Honey is in most homes. I have several jars of different types of honey in my house right now. But did you know, people have been harvesting honey for at least 8,000 years? There is a cave painting in Spain depicting the collection of honey.

But what makes honey special? Honey is a carbohydrate and can give a slight boost of energy when consumed. It also contains an array of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. These will all vary based upon the type of flowers the bees used. Honey can be used for soothing sore throats and as a cough suppressant. It also tastes good drizzled on fruit if you need another reason.

Royal Jelly is produced by the bees to feed the queen larvae. It can also be eaten and used topically by humans. There are a wide variety of health claims associated with it, however like many holistic products, official trials have yet to be conducted making it hard to validate these claims.

Bees Wax

The use of bees wax dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. Its use is still popular today. Bees wax candles, polishes for leather and wood, and artists’ supplies all use bees wax. The pharmaceutical industry uses it as a binder and a drug carrier in many medications. It is also one of the most common waxes used in the cosmetic industry.

Propolis

Propolis is a “bee glue”. Bees utilize their saliva, bees wax, and substances from plants and trees to create a resin. This all mixes together and creates a sealant. Propolis has antimicrobial properties and helps protect the bees from illness.

Propolis has been used since around 300 BC. Ancient Egyptians utilized it in their embalming practices. Some physicians used it during World War II for wound healing. Some studies suggest that propolis is: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiprotozoal, anti inflammatory, contains antioxidants and may have anti-cancer properties. Further studies are being carried out.

Venom

Bee venom is a colorless, acidic liquid that is excreted through their stingers. Bee venom contains many compounds. These compounds are both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory. The venom is used in holistic therapy treatments called Apitherapy. These treatments have been used in traditional medicine practices for thousands of years.

Apitherapy has recently seen a surge in renewed interest. It is currently available in forms including extracts, moisturizers, lotions, lozenges and serums. Some providers perform bee venom acupuncture.

The venom has documented anti-inflammatory properties. This is useful in combating Rheumatoid Arthritis. Several studies have shown Apitherapy Acupuncture to be effective at reducing RA symptoms.

Skincare companies have been using bee venom for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as its antibacterial and wrinkle reducing qualities. It has also been shown to help reduce acne.

Finally, bee venom is being used to help the immune system. Studies have show venom therapy may be helpful with autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and encephalomyelitis. It has also shows promise in treating allergic conditions such as asthma. Medical professionals use bee venom in venom immunotherapy. Patients with severe allergies to bee stings are injected by professionals in a medical setting. Research has shown this treatment to be safe and effective. It can also reduce the risk of future serious reactions to bee stings.

Interested in trying apitherapy? Please do your research first. Find qualified professionals and quality tested products.

Why Do We Need to Save the Bees?

Now you know why bees are beneficial to humans. But what is going on that the bees need saving?

Scientists have discovered several causes for bee die-off. One of the better known killer of bees is pesticides and herbicides. Pesticides, especially those containing neonicotinoid, are deadly to bees as well as other insects. Bees exposed to pesticides will either die directly after exposure or will take them back to the hive. If the bee returns to the hive the entire hive could collapse.

Loss of habitat is another problem for bees. Deforestation and loss of wild flower habitat has been detrimental for the bee population. Honey bees form hives and live in colonies. Other bee species are solitary in nature and live in wild areas. Bees get a lot of their nectar from trees. They also use leaves and resin for nesting material.

Farming procedures have changed and it is harming the bee population. Monoculture, or the planting of only one crop, has become a popular practice. Just like all other creatures, bees need a variety in their diet.

Climate change has altered the environment enough that flowers and plants are flowering at different times of the year. This erratic weather has been challenging to the suffering bee population.

Disease is another problem for bees. Various types of fungus and mites have plagued bees forever. However, the colonies are becoming weaker due to all the above listed reasons and are struggling to handle the natural diseases. Another problem with disease is the use of antibiotics. Bee keepers have used antibiotics periodically to treat their hives for certain diseases. Certain diseases are now becoming antibiotic resistant.

All of these factors have come together to decimate the bee population. It is now up to all of us to help the bees before they become extinct, along with the food they pollinate.

How Can We Save the Bees?

There are a few easy and cheap ways that we can help save the bees. Keep reading to find out what you can do.

1. Plant pollinator-friendly plants.

People who have yards or property can let some of this “rewild”. Stop mowing the grass and plant some wildflower seeds. Mow less grass? Yes! Thank you! It doesn’t have to been a large patch, any amount willl do. Packets of wildflower seeds are currently available at any store that sells seeds or plants. Planting trees is also a great option. Bees get nectar from trees too.

No yard? No problem! Pots or windowsill boxes will do just fine. Having a “Bee Garden” benefits more than just the bees. When we start planting more flowering plants, we also help the butterflies and the hummingbirds too.

2. Create a Bee Bath

Now that you have planted pretty flowers to feed the bees, go ahead and create a bee bath. Take a shallow dish with some stones or marbles on the bottom and add some water. The stones or marbles should break the surface of the water so that the bees have something to land on. This can be as simple or as creative and artistic as you like.

3. Build a Bee Hotel.

Remember when I said the majority of bees don’t live in a hive? This is a fun and easy way that you can help out the solitary bees. You can buy bee hotels at Tractor Supply and Amazon amongst others. You can also build a bee hotel out of odds and ends you have around the house. If you are in search of inspiration check out Instagram.

4. Go Chemical Free

One of the best things that we can do for ourselves, our pets, nature and the bees is to ditch the pesticides and chemicals. There are some great and effective natural remedies. Eartheasy has some great natural pest remedies. Heifer International gives some great suggestions on how to make wholesome herbicides that won’t poison the planet.

5. Protect Safe Havens for Bees.

We can’t always control the use of pesticides. We can demand the government protect certain spaces from pesticide use. State parks, wildlife refuges and national parks should never be subject to pesticide use. Connecticut, Maryland and Vermont have already banned the sale of bee-killing pesticides. Let’s encourage our government to keep banning these pesticides. Remember, they don’t only hurt bees. Pesticides have been linked to human cases of cancer. They are dangerous. Go here to tell Congress to ban he use of bee-killing pesticides in wildlife refuges.

6. Save the Bees – Support Local.

When you can, buy from local Farmers Markets and local Apiaries. Supporting a local grower is supporting an environment that is healthy for bees. Most small farms know the importance of skipping pesticides and use only natural methods to deter pests. They also grow more that one crop. Your local Apiary or bee keeper has honey produced by bees in your area. They keep hives, which is vitally important as the natural population declines.

7. Stay in the Know.

This one is pretty easy. Every once in a while look up what is going on with the bees. Here are several pages with ideas and information to keep in the know. Planet Bee Foundation has info, suggestions, a blog and ways to donate. Heifer International is a site dedicated to many worthy causes. The Bee Conservancy is all about bees. They have some great bee facts and ways you can help.

Let’s Save the Bees

Keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks and months as I post my Bee Garden, Bee Bath and Bee Hotel. Looking for things to do now that Spring is in full swing? Read my blog here.