THE BEE BOX
The second most asked question our Bee Informed
Partnership research lab and staff hears from the public,
after “What is killing the bees
?
”, is “What can I do
?
”
Both are usually asked in earnest, with sincere hope that
things are getting better for the first and with humbleness
in the asking of the second. The world is a big place
and for most of us, we have a difficult time fathoming
that the actions of a single person can make a difference.
But they can.
When we get this question, we respond with the
following 5 simple steps. And we try to reassure them
that they can, in fact, set in motion the opportunity for
discussion, for movement and for change.
Step 1:
Get to know a local beekeeper. Support her
(or him). Buy local honey. Go to a local beekeeping
meeting (hint, these are not closed or private meetings
and they will welcome you with open arms and likely talk
your ear off and answer all of your questions). Even if
you don’t feel inclined to keep bees yourself, join the club
and get educated on what challenges beekeepers are
facing. Once you become educated, you can spread
that knowledge to coworkers, family and friends.
Step 2:
Pay attention to what is blooming in your area
and what insects you see visiting those blooms. We
are located in Maryland and the public here is often
shocked to learn that our two most prolific nectar sources
come from trees (the Tulip Poplar and the Black Locust).
If flowers are not blooming in your area and you think
they should be, find out why. Talk to your local extension
office or Master Gardening group. Is there something
you can do to promote honey bee (and native
bee) forage
?
Step 3:
Reduce pesticides on your yard and lawn.
Homeowners generally use up to 10 times more
pesticides to combat rodents, insects, weeds, etc. than
farmers do on a per acre basis. Do you really need
to use pesticides on ornamental plants
?
Think about
fostering clover and dandelions in your lawn instead of
spraying them. Talk to your neighbors and homeowners’
association about not spraying or reducing their use
of pesticides.
Step 4:
Reduce (or eliminate) your lawn. Lawns are
green deserts. Wouldn’t a meadow filled with blooming,
native plants that attract all kinds of pollinators be much
more interesting to look at and cultivate
?
If you don’t
know what pollinator plants will grow well in your area,
consult your local nursery or some online maps such as
this one:
Step 5:
If you have the resources, make a financial
contribution to your favorite pollinator or honey bee
research organization. Even small amounts make a
difference. Your contributions to any of three below are a
step towards helping us solve the “why are bees dying”
question. And, in light of the recent tragedies in Puerto
Rico, you will truly be saving bees who currently have no
forage. They are starving. No pollen, no nectar, means
no bees.
Some choices of research organizations to contribute to:
- Project Apis m.
- The Bee Informed Partnership
Help Contribute to the Beekeepers and Honey
Bees in Puerto Rico
As the U.S. moves into winter with some beekeepers
feeding heavily to make sure their bees have enough
stores until spring, imagine trying to maintain active
colonies with no forage – no nectar and no pollen
in sight for months with no resources to bring in
supplementary food for their colonies. Imagine viewing
your apiary with boxes torn apart and bees swarming
in open homes. This is what is happening to the
beekeepers and honey bee colonies in Puerto Rico.
IN YOUR ORCHARD
Honey bee foraging in a meadow. Photo courtesy of the Bee
Informed Partnership.
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