If you’re unaware, there is a serious crisis facing our ecosystem. Bees are dying out at startling rates, largely due to, you guessed it, humans. Our fear of getting stung has established a norm of killing any bee that may approach us. In actuality, these little insects are a far from a threat as long as you don’t disturb them. Think of it as the golden rule: don’t disturb them and they won’t bother you.
Aside from the ethical issues attached to killing bees, the widespread killing of bees is becoming a major threat to our environment. In a way, bees serve as the “glue” that holds our ecosystem together: bees pollinate plants, that are either directly consumed by animals, or eaten by animals that will eventually be consumed. If you haven’t figured it out yet, we’re talking about an expansive food shortage. Ignoring the issue by sitting back and pretending it doesn’t exist could lead to widespread famine in the future.
Luckily for us, we haven’t reached a worst case scenario quite yet. With that being said, if we don’t act now, this outcome could quickly become our reality. That’s why we’ve compiled some ideas to help you do your part at home.
Disclaimer: Bees are not aggressive by nature, but can be harmful if provoked. Make sure to take necessary protective measures before carrying out any of these suggestions. If you would like professional assistance, do the right thing and reach out to us so we can properly advise you.
Grow Your Own Food
Perhaps the most notorious culprit, industrial agriculture is driving out the bees in the masses. In order to keep up with growing pressure to meet food demands, large agricultural companies have resorted to using harmful pesticides on their products. Unfortunately, these chemicals have proven to be deadly for bees. While you can’t fix the troublesome practices of the agricultural industry yourself, you can take the initiative to plant your own food at home. Not only will you create safe plants for bees to pollinate, but you will also reduce your reliance on pesticide-latent food. The best part: you get farm fresh produce every day that is mere steps away and keep yourself away from the toxic chemicals found in commercial foods.
Plant Native Flower Beds
We’re adding some extra emphasis on the word “native.” While bees will pollinate most flowers, it’s important to fill your garden with plants that are local to the environment. Because these flowers are suited to withstand the climate you live in, this will eliminate the need for fertilizers. Gardens with native plants tend to last longer, as well. This means even more opportunities for our fuzzy yellow friends (and you!) to enjoy your garden 🙂
Become an Advocate
Don’t underestimate the power of your own voice. Simply sharing that you value conservation efforts and bee protection can begin changing opinions that have become ingrained. We all have a social responsibility to protect the planet so don’t be afraid to act on it. If you see someone killing a bee or threatening one, say something. Use the experience as a teaching moment for the person who likely doesn’t realize the magnitude of their action. Furthermore, as there is widespread misinformation, take it upon yourself to dispel any contradictions. Whatever “advocate” means to you, take your motivation and put it to use!
Replace Bee Traps with Bee Feeders
It seems like anywhere you go, you always see one of those plastic bee traps hanging up. The mere presence of these traps perpetuates the misinformation and implicitly suggests that bees are a nuisance that need to be eliminated. Now, let us be clear: by no means should you take down other people’s bee traps, that is illegal. But, what you can do is hold yourself accountable by removing any that you may have. We encourage you to replace them with “bee feeders” like a bottle cap filled with sweetened water or a spoon filled with sugar. Such a simple act can make a huge difference for the bees in your garden.
Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is
This approach is more of a general lifestyle adjustment. The decisions you make with your money say a lot about what you believe in. Take some time to examine the message your spending habits convey. Are they in alliance with your values? If not, make a switch towards making more conscious financial choices. A few common adjustments to get you started are switching to organic, pesticide-free food, buying cruelty-free products, and supporting local farmers over agriculture powerhouses. With this in mind, you can also consider donating your money to a conservation causes you feel are most important.
Start a Hive
If you feel strongly about this issue, take the initiative and start your own hive! You can rest easy knowing that you are doing everything you can to care for a colony of bees. Not only will you have more honey then you know what to do with, but your surrounding garden will be flourishing. We promise getting started isn’t as intense and troublesome as it may seem. NOTE: Do not attempt to build your own colony without professional assistance. Doing so could be detrimental to your health as well as the health of the insects.
We hope that some of these tips have inspired you to seek out ways you can make a difference. While you are only one person, the potential impact you can make is massive. We also want to suggest that these are ideas are just the beginning. Don’t be afraid to think creatively about ways you can help save the bees. If you come up with anything that we don’t have listed here, drop us a line and share! We’re always open to learning about ways we can make the environment better.