SAVE THE BEES
When was the last time you heard the familiar buzz of a bee in your garden? It’s one of the happiest sounds of summer and bees play an important role in nature, too, by pollinating plants and crops; their existence is vital for the food we eat.
But the humble bee is facing many threats – from the impact of climate change to the use of toxic pesticides in gardens and habitat loss. A combination of these factors mean that bees are facing an uncertain future, with nearly one in 10 of Europe’s wild bee species facing extinction. But there are things we can all do.
This summer, The Wildlife Trusts and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) are calling on gardeners to ‘bring your lawn to life’ (wildaboutgardens.org.uk) by inviting them to reduce the frequency of lawn mowing, to allow flowers to bloom and provide bees with a place to feed and shelter.
WHAT TO PLANT
Bee-friendly plants such as pussy willow, lavender, abelia, honeysuckle and ivy provide a tasty meal of the pollinator’s favourite ingredients: nectar and pollen. Bumblebees tend to focus on one plant species at a time, so keeping your flowers grouped by species is an easy way to help them out.
BEE KIND TO BUGS
Insects such as hoverflies, beetles and ladybirds are incredibly beneficial, preying on plant-killing
SET UP A BEE HOTEL
Bees have lost a lot of their natural habitat over the past 60 years, but setting up a bee hotel in your garden can help to give them a new home. You can buy bee hotels from charities including the RSPCA, or you can build your own. To find out how, go to wildlifetrusts.org/actions/ how-make-bee-hotel. species such as aphids and helping to pollinate flowers. ‘Having a diverse range of garden insects is a sign of a well-balanced ecosystem; a better place for all kinds of wildlife, including bees,’ says Annie Ives from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.
HEALTHY AND HAPPY
Keep a small amount of fresh water in a shallow saucer in your garden to help bees stay refreshed and cool in warmer weather. Bees can become lethargic and tired in hot, dry weather. To revive a depleted bee, combine one part water with one part white sugar in a pot and stir to dissolve. Carefully place a small drop of the solution in front of a bee to provide a pick-me-up.
Cleaning products and air fresheners can contain harsh chemicals that pollute the air and harm the health of bees. Use natural, eco-friendly cleaning products such as bicarbonate of soda, lemon oil and distilled white vinegar. ‘Scented candles can cause similar trouble for bees,’ says Paul de Zylva, nature campaigner for Friends of the Earth. ‘Look for options without artificial chemicals, such as those made with beeswax.’
Buying organic fruit and vegetables can help bee populations, as they’re grown without the use of synthetic fertilisers, herbicides and other harmful chemicals. Look for the Soil Association logo when you shop.