7 Ways We Can Help Save Bees From Being Endangered

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

Before you eat your dinner tonight, take a moment to think about how the food made it to your plate. If you think beyond the grocery store shelves, you might be surprised to find a bee. Yes, a bee. The role bees play in food production is astronomical. In fact, according to the USDA, one out of every three bites of food we eat is made possible by the hard work of the endangered bee.

Bees and Food Production

The title of top pollinator goes overwhelmingly to the bee. This includes the honeybee, bumblebee, mason bee, etc. These diligent pollinators do their thing by transferring pollen from flower to flower while drinking nectar to feed themselves. This transfer ultimately fertilizes the flowers and allows crops to grow. Their cross-pollination is so influential that if the bees were to disappear, so would approximately seventy percent of nutritional crops the world depends on. Additionally, their disappearance would cost the agricultural industry billions of dollars every year. 

Photo by Jocelyn Morales on Unsplash

Why Are Bees Disappearing?

Times are hard for bees. Colonies have been collapsing, and numbers of both wild and domesticated bees have been declining. Research suggests that the widely used synthetic insecticides, neonicotinoids, are largely to blame. Neonicotinoids are toxic to bees and other insects. They also help cause climate change, habitat loss, and disease. 

What can we do to save the bees:

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Shop bee-free beauty products: Empower Palette has advocated replacing products that use bee-made ingredients such as honey and beeswax. The cruelty-free community questions whether ingredients like honey can even be considered cruelty-free. If using products with bee-made ingredients, check the brand’s values and how they treat their bees.

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Be the change: Advocating for bees is one of the best ways you can help them thrive. In addition to spreading the word on the crisis of the bee population, you can get involved with communities that support pollinators.

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Do not kill the bees: Bees usually do not attack unless they feel threatened. If you see a bee, don’t feel like you need to defend yourself by swatting it. Instead, walk away. If a bee gets into your house, carefully contain it by placing a cup over it. After this, simply pick up the cup with the bee and release it outside.

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Stop using chemicals: Banning chemical use from your household is a small change that can generate a mighty outcome. Insecticides aren’t the only chemicals that need to go. So do chemical cleaners, air fresheners, bug sprays, hair sprays, and anything else synthetically made. All the above contain additives that contribute to climate change and poor air quality. Seek out greener alternatives or make your own.

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Start a backyard garden: Organic gardens not only help the population of pollinators grow, but the nutritious crops it yields can influence healthy eating and save you money on your grocery bill. The first step would be to pick your spot; this could be a plot in your backyard to grow in raised beds, containers on your deck, or window boxes. Fill your garden with organic compost; plant crops that grow best in your area; irrigate; maintain with plant-based, eco-friendly fertilizers and pesticides; and marvel in the sight of the pollinators and crops. If you have pets or live in a neighborhood where dogs run free, consider adding a fence to protect your bee-friendly garden.  If you have your fence professionally installed, make sure you choose a reliable contractor with impeccable references to make sure your fencing is sturdy and aesthetically pleasing.

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Plant something: You can pepper your landscaped areas with beautiful bee-friendly plants. David Domoney recommends lavender, bluebells, crocuses, rosemary, and borage. Additionally, you can leave an undisturbed patch of land in your backyard for wildflowers to grow. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can become a guerrilla gardener by throwing bee-friendly seed bombs in green spaces within your community. When landscaping your yard, keep curb appeal in mind. This will give you an added benefit to planting your yard with bee-friendly flowers as curb appeal will have an impact on how much your home appraises.

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Support organic local farmers: Supporting organic farmers will keep them in business and will help keep the pollinators around. Additionally, supporting local farmers stimulates the community while keeping you healthy. 

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Instead, help your local population of pollinators grow by starting an organic garden, planting bee-friendly flowers, and removing chemicals from your home. Bees are an important part of putting food on your table, so you should do what you can to help them thrive. 

How will you help save the bees?

Post a comment or question below and don’t hesitate to share this post and help create a cycle of protecting endangered bees 😘

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