Bees need Help
Help for Bees
Honeybees are considered the most important insects of our ecosystem and over centuries mankind has developed a strong relationship with bees, unlike with any other insect.
Without bees we would not be able to sustain the lifestyle we have been enjoying until now. Albert Einstein allegedly said when bees disappear, humans will cease to exist within four years thereafter. Believe this or not, certain is if bees disappeared we would have to give up the food variety we are enjoying today.
Not only for the sake of our bees, but for our own survival we must ensure the survival of our bees.
Bees and their Challenges
In recent years the decline of the bee population has become an increasingly pressing issue. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating crops, and their decline could have devastating consequences for the global food production. There are several contributing factors, such as habitat loss, the use of pesticides, parasites and diseases, and climate change.
Habitat Loss
One of the most significant factors contributing to the decline of bee populations is habitat loss. As humans continue to expand into areas of nature, bees and other animals lose their habitat and food sources.
The loss of habitat primarily applies to bees living in the wild since Bees managed by a beekeeper are being provided with the necessary living space and environment.
Pesticides
Probably the most potent factor impacting bee populations is the use of pesticides. Many pesticides, including Neonicotinoids, are toxic to bees and can cause significant harm to their health and reproductive capabilities. Pesticides can also reduce the quality of food sources for bees, making it more difficult for them to survive.
Climate change
Climate change is also having an impact on the bee population. Changes in temperature and weather patterns can disrupt the timing of flowering and pollination, which can reduce the availability of food sources for bees.
Parasites and Diseases
The spread of parasites and diseases can harm and wipe out entire bee populations. Until recently Australia has been the last continent/country free of the Varroa Mite until in 2022, the Varroa Mite was detected in NSW and it is spreading from there.As the first counter measure to stop the spread of varroa the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) ordered the extermination of all beehives in the infested zones. Affected Beekeepers in Australia were devastated about this panic reaction. Some beekeepers had to destroy their entire hive stock. In September 2023 the authorities have stopped the extermination order and the senseless killing of bees because they live in a red zone area.
How can we help?
To rescue bee populations, there are several actions that can be taken. Some are easy, some are difficult to achieve.
Create and maintain Bee Habitat
Of great impact and easy to achieve is to protect and restore bee habitats. This can be done by planting bee-friendly flowering plants, creating bee-friendly gardens, preserving and creating natural areas. And, instead of having your lawn cut short as soon as a flower raises its head, establish a wild flower meadow with native flowers. Our Council supports its residents planting native wild flowers and shrubs on the Nature Strip, well done!
Avoid or reduce using Pesticides
Avoiding and reducing the use of Pesticides and toxic Chemicals can be achieved by using alternative pest control methods, choosing to weed the garden by hand instead of using a Weed Killer. Don't trust the poison label that says "harmless to bees" - a chemical that kills insects does also kill bees, bees are insects! And is it alright to kill all the other insects?
Climate Change
Addressing climate change is also essential to protecting bee populations. This can include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy, and implementing policies that support climate action.
In conclusion, the decline of bee populations is a pressing issue requiring urgent action. By protecting and restoring bee habitats, reducing pesticide use, and addressing climate change, we can help to ensure that bee populations thrive and continue to play a vital role in global food production.
In different ways we all can help our threatened bees to master the challenges of our existing world and fight the problems we have created for them.
What needs to happen?
On a global scale we need to look after the welfare of our bees and ensure that their population does not further decline.
Increasing their food sources by creating more areas with a rich variety of flowering plants.
- Re-creating zones of natural environment
- Flower and herb beds instead of concrete or paved areas and manicured green lawns where every flower raising its head is chopped down to ground zero.
Large areas of mono culture crop farming can be broken up into smaller areas and interspersed with a variety of different crops or herbs and flowering plants, providing great health benefits for the bees, re-creating a sustainable existence for our bees.
We need to increase the number of beekeepers, especially in those areas where crop pollination is required, so bees don't need to be transported long distance to locations where and when they are needed.
However, as long as we maintain crop farming in large concentrated areas we also need those beekeepers able to supply large numbers of beehives for pollination for the short time period required. Can you imagine the logistical chaos which would occur if instead thousands of beekeepers would bring one or two hives each for pollination?
Helping each other
Bees are helping us
Bees help to provide the food we enjoy and need for our survival.
For millions of years bees have been playing a very important role in our ecosystem by pollinating flowering plants and hereby ensuring their reproduction.
By doing that bees have been helping us to survive, directly by helping to provide the plant food we eat and indirectly by helping to provide the food for our meat stock.
And as a bonus, bees produce delicious honey - well, not for us but for themselves. Please rest assured that a responsible beekeeper only takes surplus honey out of the hive, always leaving sufficient stores for the bees until the next flower season.
Beekeepers are helping bees
Beekeepers help bees by providing housing for them and placing them where their presence is desired and where they find sufficient food.
Beekeepers nurture their bees when they are in trouble. When there is insufficient nectar or pollen in the area where the bees are located, they get relocated or fed. When pests and diseases strike, beekeepers do what they can to help fighting the disease or isolate the hive so it does not spread to other bees. A more appropriate term for Beekeepers would be Bee carers.
Beekeepers are helping the Public
Beekeepers can capture swarms and relocate unwanted bee colonies from locations they are not wanted. Once bees are housed in proper beehives we have control over their location and can relocate them, should they become a risk or threat to an allergic person.
Mobile beehives can also be moved to locations where and when needed for pollination. Beekeepers, providing this service help the community at large by helping to provide the food we all enjoy.
Beekeepers also repackage honey produced by their bees from the hive into convenient containers, so we can enjoy it at our breakfast table without being surrounded by angry bees.
The Public helps everyone
The Public can help everyone by having bees and their welfare on their mind and making conscious decisions that are helping bees, beekeepers, farmers and themselves.
How everyone can help
Try not to kill them
The next time you see a bee swarm or you come across bees and think you have a problem, try not to kill them or have them exterminated. There is no need to panic - contact your nearest beekeeper, who would most likely be able to help you. For swarm collection and bee removal please see the details under Bee Removal
Establishing a Bee-friendly backyard
You can also improve the quality of life for our bees by planting a few bee-friendly plants in your backyard - more under Bee-friendly Backyard
Minimising the use of Pesticides
And then there is the common use of pesticides. It has become so convenient to just drive down to the hardware store for the latest bug killer to solve a bug problem, you don’t think twice about it - but perhaps you should. By trying to solve one small problem you could be creating an even bigger problem. One of the main issues with pesticides is that you cannot see them and they tend to get easily spread by the wind. If they would just remain where they were sprayed, that would be one thing, but they don't. Volatile pesticides drift all over when sprayed and can spread a good distance if there is circulating air or a breeze.
Hosting and/or sponsoring a Beehive
Becoming a beekeeper and caring for those little creatures is probably not for everyone. Some people want to help nature by hosting a beehive or two in their backyard, but are unable to dedicate the time, love and care required and are looking for a beekeeper who does it for them. Hosting a hive or two on your property and having it/them looked after by a beekeeper is another way of helping our bees. Usually the sponsor contributes to the cost of this service and receives some honey in return.
Becoming a Beekeeper
At first glance Beekeeping might not be the most appealing sport. Why do you want to expose yourself to bee stings? If it was not for the love of these fascinating and amazing little creatures, why would you want to rush into it? Amazingly, once you have started to care for some bees you fall in love with these fascinating little creatures; it is addictive. Most beekeepers are very passionate about their bees. There are many reasons to take up beekeeping as a hobby.
It is far better to have 1,000 beekeepers with two hives each, rather than one beekeeper with 2,000 hives.