To Bee or not to Bee

Follow Dave our bee keeper as he gives us the 101 on honey bees. Watch on Vimeo.

Known to be the greatest pollinators, bees are part of the biodiversity on which we all depend for our survival.

According to bee experts at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, a third of the world’s food production depends on bees.

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) says the western honey bee is the most widespread managed pollinator globally, and more than 80 million hives produce an estimated 1.6 million tonnes of honey annually.

Bee populations have been declining globally over recent decades due to habitat loss, intensive farming practices, changes in weather patterns and the excessive use of agrochemicals such as pesticides.

Here are some actions you can take to help preserve bees and other pollinators:

·        Plant nectar-bearing flowers such as marigolds or sunflowers for decorative purposes on balconies, terraces, and gardens

·        Buy honey and other hive products from your nearest local beekeeper

·        Raise awareness among children and adolescents on the importance of bees and express your support for beekeepers

·        Set up a pollinator farm on your balcony, terrace, or garden

·        Preserve old meadows, which feature a more diverse array of flowers, and sow nectar-bearing plants

·        Cut grass on meadows only after the nectar-bearing plants have finished blooming

·        Use pesticides that do not harm bees, and spray them in windless weather, either early in the morning or late at night, when bees          withdraw from blossoms