09/07/2024

Bee kind tips for families

Bees are vital to our environment, and their well-being directly impacts the health of our planet. With 'Don't Step on a Bee Day' in the UK, it's the perfect time to learn how we can be kinder to bees. We've got some fun facts and great tips for families to help support local bee populations.

The importance of bees

Pollination powerhouses

Bees are among the most efficient pollinators in the world. In the UK alone, they are responsible for pollinating around 70 different crops. Globally, about 75% of the leading food crops rely on animal pollination, and bees play a significant role in this process.

Economic impact

Pollination by bees contributes significantly to the economy. In the UK, the economic value of pollinators is estimated at £690 million per year. Without bees, many crops would become less productive, leading to higher food prices and economic instability.

Biodiversity champions

Bees help maintain the health of our ecosystems. By pollinating wild plants, they support biodiversity, which in turn ensures the resilience of our environment. A diverse ecosystem is better equipped to handle challenges such as climate change and disease.

The current state of bees

Despite their importance, bee populations are declining. Here are some reasons for the decline of bee populations:

• Pesticides: Chemicals used in agriculture can be harmful to bees, affecting their ability to forage and reproduce
• Habitat loss: Urbanization and agricultural expansion reduce the natural habitats available for bees
• Climate change: Changing weather patterns can disrupt the availability of flowers and nesting sites
• Disease and pests: Bees are vulnerable to various diseases and pests, such as the Varroa mite

Why are bees vulnerable and what can we do?

Statistics on Bee Decline

• Honeybees: In the UK, the number of managed honeybee colonies has dropped by 54% over the last 20 years
• Wild bees: Approximately one-third of wild bee species are declining in terms of population and range
• Bumblebees: Nearly 24% of Europe’s bumblebee species are threatened with extinction

How families can help bees

One of the most effective ways to help bees is by creating a welcoming environment in your garden. Here are some tips:

• Plant bee-friendly flowers. Choose a variety of flowers that bloom at different times of the year to provide a continuous source of nectar and pollen. Some bee-friendly plants include:
  • Spring: Snowdrops, bluebells, and dandelions
  • Summer: Lavender, borage, and foxgloves
  • Autumn: Ivy, heather, and asters

• Avoid pesticides. Opt for natural pest control methods instead of chemical pesticides. Companion planting, such as growing marigolds alongside vegetables, can help deter pests
• Provide water. Bees need water to survive, especially during hot weather. Place a shallow dish of water with pebbles or twigs for the bees to land on
• Create nesting sites. Different bee species have different nesting preferences:
  • Bumblebees: Leave areas of long grass or create a bumblebee box
  • Solitary bees: Install a bee hotel or leave patches of bare soil for ground-nesting bees

Fun family bee friendly activities

Teaching children about bees and their importance can foster a lifelong appreciation for these insects. Here are some educational activities:

• Bee identification. Learn to identify different types of bees, such as honeybees, bumblebees, and solitary bees. There are many online resources and field guides available
• Bee watching. Spend time observing bees in your garden or local park. Notice their behaviour, the flowers they visit, and how they collect pollen
• Bee crafts. Get creative with bee-themed crafts. Make bee masks, paint bee stones, or create a bee habitat model
• Support local beekeepers. Buying honey and other bee products from local beekeepers supports sustainable beekeeping practices. Look for beekeepers who do not use harmful chemicals and prioritize bee health

Bee conservation programs

There are lots of local or national bee conservation programs your family can get involved with. These programs often have activities and resources for families. Some notable UK organizations include:

• Friends of the Earth: They run the Great British Bee Count and provide resources on creating bee-friendly spaces
• Buglife: This organization focuses on invertebrate conservation and has various projects that families can get involved in
• Bumblebee Conservation Trust: They offer educational materials and volunteer opportunities to help protect bumblebees
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Don't Step on a Bee Day: How to Get Involved

• Spread the word. Use social media to raise awareness about 'Don't Step on a Bee Day.' Share facts about bees, tips for creating bee-friendly environments, and your family's efforts to help bees
• Host a Bee-Themed Event. Organize a bee-themed event in your community. This could be a garden tour, a bee-friendly planting day, or a bee craft workshop
• Participate in Citizen Science. Get involved in citizen science projects that track bee populations. You could also become a member of the Great British Bee Project to help reverse the decline of bee populations in the UK
• Bee walks and talks. Attend or organize a bee walk or talk. Guided walks can help families learn more about local bee species and their habitats. Talks by experts can provide deeper insights into bee conservation

Fun facts about bees to share with kids

• Bees have 5 eyes. Bees have two large compound eyes and three smaller simple eyes, which help them navigate and find flowers
• There are more than 20,000 species of bee in the world. In the UK alone there are more than 250 species of bee, including the bumblebee, honeybee and mining bee
• Bees can’t see the colour red. Although they can’t see red, they can see something that humans can’t: ‘bee’s purple’! It’s a mix between yellow and ultraviolet light.
• Honeybees can only sting someone once. Once a honeybee has stung someone, its stinger and other body parts are left behind, which kills the bee. When it dies it also releases a pheromone (smell) that alerts other bees in its colony of danger
• Bees communicate through dance. Honeybees perform a "waggle dance" to communicate the location of food sources to their hive mates
• Bees are fast fliers. A honeybee can fly at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour and beat its wings 200 times per second
• Bees have an excellent sense of smell. Bees use their sense of smell to find flowers and communicate with each other. They have 170 odorant receptors compared to 62 in fruit flies and 79 in mosquitoes
• Most bees live together in hives. A hive is a honeycomb structure that the bees build themselves using beeswax. A colony that lives in a hive is generally made up of three different types of bees: the queen bee, worker bees and drone bees
• Some bees live alone. Although honeybees and bumblebees tend to live in hives, species such as the carpenter, digger and mining bee live alone and make their own nest
• Bees are essential for chocolate. The tiny midge, a type of small fly, pollinates the cacao plant, but bees also play a role in the pollination of some varieties of cacao, which means without bees, we might not have chocolate!

Why we should all be kind to bees

Bees are indispensable to our environment and our food supply. By taking small steps to protect and support bees, families can make a significant impact on their survival. 'Don't Step on a Bee Day' is an excellent opportunity to start these efforts and to instil in children a respect and appreciation for these remarkable insects. Whether it's through gardening, education, or community involvement, every action counts towards a healthier future for bees and for us all.

#DontStepOnABeeDay #SaveTheBees #BeeConservation #PollinatorProtection #BeeFriendly