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Bee Kind
by Sarah Perreault
As my husband and I worked in the garden this weekend, I noticed the bees visiting my azaleas (okay, not my azaleas, but the neighbor's azaleas. Mine never seem to bloom until June!) I take extra notice when I see bees since hearing so much about their population declining. Experts are blaming pollution, pesticides, and parasites for bees' disappearance. Jose D. Fuentes, an environmental sciences professor at the University of Virginia, reveals that before 1800, a flower's scent could travel up to 4,000 feet, but today, the scent might travel only 1,000 feet in highly polluted areas. If bees can't find food, soon, neither will we. About 30% of what we eat depends on honeybee pollination to prosper.
When summer is in full swing and my dahlias (yes, my dahlias this time) are blooming in bright pink and purple, the bees practically take up residence in my yard. I like to think I am helping in some way by planting flowers and herbs attractive to my petite, fuzzy friends. You can do your part and help, too. Asters, bee balm, cosmos, foxglove, hollyhocks, larkspur, lavender, purple coneflower, and zinnias are just a sampling of plants known to attract bees. The list is practically endless. Please help out our teeny allies, we need them as much as they need us.
Reader Comments
Comment from Dianna Johnson on May 29, 2008
You are so right Sarah, Luckly we have are own bee hive and it is amazing to watch the little guys. It's really fantistic to watch them swarm. Every year a swarm leaves to find a new place to live because the hive gets so big. And you are so right that if we don't take care of them then we will perish.
Dianna Johnson Astoria, Oregon
Comment from Charles Barry on May 31, 2008
If you look closely at the picture of the Bee you will see a tiny red dot, thats a varroa mites.That is one of the killer of bee hives. I agree that we must take care of them so they can take care of us.
Comment from Maggie Young on June 5, 2008
Thank you, Charles .. for bringing our attention to a closer examination of the above photo! And sure 'nuff; 'clicking' on the photo enlarges it amply well - to see the nasty varroa mite. Naturally, it entices one to search for more about these mites and other nasties affecting the plight and survival of the honey bees.
Mankind certainly contributes heavily to the demise of the beneficial insects & wildlife, worldwide (ie: pesticide use & pollution). Not to mention the other numerous negative impacts of which [we] are usually the origin. Mother Nature may be running shy on time and short on the fixes, in trying to keep up with the detriment we influence. Seems [we] may be sabotaging ourselves. Thank you very much, Sarah .. for the article, and the urgent reminder!
Comment from George Lee on June 25, 2008
I believe Albert Einstein said it best : If the Bees disappear we'll follow them within five years
Comment from Patty Zeleski on July 4, 2008
Just found out last week that the fuzzy little bees had taken up residence in my little birdhouse. I found out because one of the little critters came flying out, immediately landed on my knee and stung me!! I was shocked!!! Well, that little bee lived along with all his pals that are still in the birdhouse. And I certainly survived the bee sting. I have to laugh whenever I think about it and each time my knee still starts to itch. Live long, little bees!!!
Comment from Monika Reed on July 6, 2008
I've noticed that my vegetable garden seems to be pollinated by a lot of Bumble Bees as well. Have a wild beehive in a huge Beech tree in my woods...they come to my bird-baths to drink. I wonder, when the Africanized Bees get into this Louisiana area (North of Baton Rouge)????
Comment from Sarah Perreault on July 8, 2008
. . . as aerodynamic engineers found a long time ago, the bumblebee cannot fly! Its wings are too weak and its body is too heavy to fly, but, fortunately, the bumblebee doesn't know that, and it goes right on flying -Mary Kay Ash, American businesswoman (1918-2001)
Comment from george twigg on July 27, 2008
we had a bumbee nest in our bird house.we let them live in peace even though they are sometimes a nuicence.didnt really bother us
Comment from george twigg on July 27, 2008
i need to go back to school
Comment from george twigg on July 27, 2008
spelling????
Comment from katrina schumann on July 29, 2008
i feed & water birds; & having rescued many bees from the baths & having found some dead; I just let water run a tiny bit to make "mud" puddles; the bees & butterflies both get drinks from it; and are far safer; it takes little effort to bee kind!
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