WHATS THE BUZZ?

I’m sure you have heard the “buzz” by now that our world’s number one pollinator, the bumble bee is in danger of becoming extinct.  Between 1976 and 2006 there was a dramatic decline in the wild bumble bee’s numbers.  Now, in 2015, bumble bees are all but gone from existence.   Toxic chemicals, global warming and disease are wiping their population out.  Why should we be concerned? Well, for starters, these fuzzy creatures are the primary mechanism for healthy and wipe spread pollination of our crops.  Without the assistance of bumble bee’s, our world food supply could be in jeopardy.  There are many ways to help preserve the population.  By understanding the effects of a toxic environment on a bees lifespan and the role bees play, we can begin to raise awareness of their plight.  It is critical to build the bee’s numbers up and it starts with each one of us. How can we help improve the plight of the bumble bee?

1. Be as organic as possible in your home garden and landscaping.  Many experts believe that the declining population is due to pesticides and chemicals farmers are using on their crops.  Chemicals on your lawn and garden can damage a bees internal organs.  These chemicals can be especially harmful if applied during the flowering process.  In this case, the harmful chemicals get into the nectar and the pollinating bee will bring it back to the hive, where the toxins get into the honey. 
2. Buy organic food and raw honey from local farmers.  A huge challenge for bee keepers is to keep their bees far enough away from chemical sprays.  To be considered truly organic honey, the bees must be 3 miles from any environmental toxins. 
3. Bees get thirsty.  Provide a small basin of water in your yard to quench the thirst of the little guys, especially in hot summer months. 
4. Understand that bees aren’t out to get you.  Bumble bees are vegetarians.  Wasps are not.  Know the difference between the two species.  Wasps are attracted to your food, like lunch meats and proteins.  To avoid getting stung, stay calm.  If a bee lands on you, it may just want to check you out.  Bees can smell the pheromones associated panic and fear and may sting just based on those chemical reactions to their presence. 
5. Plant bee friendly flowers and flowering herbs in your yard and garden.  Provide bees with a natural habitat to help sustain the population.  Spring: Lilac, lavender, sage, verbena and wisteria.  Summer: Mint, squash, tomatoes, pumpkin and sunflowers, oregano, poppies, black-eyed susan and honeysuckle.  Fall: Fushia, mint, sage, verbena, and toadflax. 
6. To help the fight against harmful pesticides, please reach out to PAN North American.  PAN stands for Pesticide Action Network.  Click here for more information.  http://action.panna.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5370

BUY ORGANIC!

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