Imagine how terrified you would be if you found yourself stuck in a mass swarm of bees. I know I’d be pooping my pants! But do you know what is even scarier? Living in a world with no bees.
If you haven’t heard the buzz, our bees are disappearing! Researchers have found that since 2006, the percentage of bees has diminished yearly at a rate of 30% - https://www.theodysseyonline.com/where-are-all-the-bees-going
Not only is this a huge decrease in the bee population in recent years, the big question that has left many scientists baffled is:
Where have all the bees gone?
There are many theories as to why bee populations are diminishing each year. Some blame the use of pesticides while other scientists believe the colder winters are to blame. Then you get your free thinkers who believe they have made a lost island their home, never to return to the part of the world defiled by humans.
Whatever the reasoning behind their disappearance, it’s a problem, quite a large one in fact. We can survive without a dollop of honey in our tea, but can we live without fruit and nuts and all things delicious and nutritious? We need bees to pollinate plants, so that they can bear fruit and provide the human race with food. Yes, there are other insects and animals that assist with the pollination process, but if we continue to lose more bees, there will be a significant decrease in plants pollinated, and this will most definitely have an effect on the harvest.
Let’s be proactive. What can we do to encourage bees to hang around and multiply?
- To start, you’ll need some green fingers. Plant things that bees are extremely attracted to, like fruit trees, herbs and wildflowers.
- Prevent the use of pesticides and water your plants often to keep them healthy and attractive to bees.
- Last but not least, purchase honey from local farmers instead of bottles that are mass-produced. This way you encourage the trade and farming choice, and the more farmers there are to farm bees, the more bees there will be!
It would be a very sad thing if our future generations do not get to see these black and yellow creatures buzzing busily in the yard. Being stung by a bee is a rite of passage and many kids remember the first time they were pierced by the bum of these “frenemies”. Not to mention the taste of pure honey, can you imagine your children not enjoying that sweet delight?
Don’t BEE a hater, protect our bees! Grow plants wherever you are and if you must use pesticides, keep them natural and bee-friendly! Please, for me