The world’s food supply and natural ecosystems rely heavily on the pollination services provided by bees and other insects. Roughly one-third of global food crops, including many fruits, vegetables, and nuts, depend on these pollinators. Beyond agriculture, bees support biodiversity by helping approximately 90% of all flowering plants reproduce, which provides food and shelter for countless other animals.
Bee populations worldwide are experiencing a significant decline due to several interconnected factors. Primary threats include habitat loss from development and intensive farming practices, poor nutrition from a lack of diverse forage, and the widespread use of chemical pesticides. This decline, highlighted by phenomena like Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), requires immediate action from individuals and communities.
Creating a Pollinator-Friendly Garden
Individuals can directly address habitat loss by transforming outdoor spaces into rich foraging grounds for bees. Planting native flora is effective because local bee species have co-evolved with these plants, making them the most efficient source of pollen and nectar. This approach provides the specific nutrients required to support the local insect community.
A continuous food supply is maintained by choosing a diverse array of plants that bloom sequentially from early spring through late fall. Including flowers of different colors and shapes will attract a broader range of bee species, as different bees prefer various flower structures. Allowing common flowering “weeds” like clover and dandelions to grow can provide crucial, early-season forage when other plants have not yet bloomed.
Planting in dense clusters rather than scattering individual plants helps foraging bees conserve energy. Bees prefer to gather pollen and nectar from a large patch of the same plant, making their foraging flights more efficient. Flowering trees and shrubs, such as maples, willows, and cherries, also represent massive, concentrated food sources for pollinators.
Eliminating Harmful Chemicals
The use of synthetic chemicals in yards and gardens poses a direct threat to bee health. Systemic insecticides, such as neonicotinoids, are damaging because they are absorbed by the entire plant, contaminating the pollen and nectar bees consume. Even at sublethal doses, these neurotoxins impair a bee’s navigation, learning, and immune function, making them susceptible to disease and reducing reproductive success.
Herbicides, while not aimed at insects, contribute to poor bee nutrition by eliminating flowering plants, including clover and other “weeds,” that serve as forage. Transitioning away from chemical control involves adopting safer pest management alternatives. This includes manual removal of pests, utilizing physical barriers, or introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs to control harmful populations.
If pest control becomes necessary, choosing non-toxic or organic sprays and applying them only in the late evening or early morning is advised. This timing minimizes risk to foraging bees, as they are less active during these hours. The goal is to create a balanced ecosystem where natural predators and healthy plants minimize the need for chemical intervention.
Providing Essential Shelter and Water
Bees require safe, accessible sources of water for drinking, diluting honey, and regulating the temperature of their nests or hives. A simple way to provide water is by setting out a shallow dish or bird bath filled with pebbles, marbles, or small sticks. These objects provide safe landing spots, preventing bees from drowning while they drink.
Diverse nesting habitats are equally important, as not all bees live in large social colonies like honey bees. Approximately 70% of native bee species are solitary and nest underground, requiring small, undisturbed patches of bare soil free of mulch or dense groundcover. Other native bees are cavity-nesters, making use of hollow reeds, dried plant stalks, or holes in dead wood.
Leaving small piles of dead leaves or woody debris in a quiet corner of the yard provides overwintering shelter for queens and other beneficial insects. When cleaning up the garden in the fall, leaving some dried plant stems standing until spring offers habitat for cavity-nesting species. Providing these varied resources supports the entire lifecycle of the local bee population.
Supporting Bee Health Through Consumer Choices
Individual purchasing power can encourage bee-friendly agricultural and business practices. Choosing to buy organic produce signals market demand for farming that prohibits the use of synthetic pesticides, including neonicotinoids. Seeking out products labeled as “neonic-free” further supports producers committed to avoiding these systemic insecticides.
Purchasing raw, local honey directly supports small-scale beekeepers who maintain their hives using sustainable and ethical practices. These local operations often manage colonies to support pollination in the immediate area, contributing to the health of the surrounding ecosystem. Supporting these businesses helps ensure the viability of managed bee populations.
Beyond the supermarket, citizens can engage in community advocacy to support pollinator health on a larger scale. This involves supporting local ordinances that promote the planting of pollinator habitats in public spaces or restrict the use of pesticides on municipal property. Supporting national conservation organizations contributes to large-scale research, habitat restoration, and policy change that benefits all bee species.