We’re still on our bee drive… bringing you 12 interesting things you should now about these garden friends!

  1. There’s a high chance that bees had a part to play in producing your breakfast this morning. What did you have? Jam on toast? Fresh fruit? Grilled tomatoes? Fruit juice? Coffee? All of these were brought to you by bees. They’re not just honey-makers, but are behind much of the food we eat.
  2. Bees pollinate more than three-quarters of the UK’s wild flowers, in parks, gardens and the wider countryside. They are a sign of how healthy, or otherwise, our environment is.
  3. A love of varied, natural green spaces is shared by humans and bees alike.
  4. There are 254 species of wild bumblebee and solitary bee in the UK. Honeybees and bumblebees live socially, led by a Queen. Solitary bees tend to be smaller and their family unit is made up of a single pair.
  5. Three bumblebee species are already extinct and a quarter of British bees are listed in the Red Data Book of threatened species. None are protected by law however.
  6. What’s causing bee decline? A number of factors, including changes in land use, habitat loss, building projects, disease, pesticides, farming practices, pollution, invasive non-native plants and animals, and climate change.
  7. For a sustainable economy to reign we must reverse damage to the environment around us – putting protection of the environment over business and growth.
  8. If the Government adopts a National Bee Action Plan, we can save British bees and save the UK economy many millions of pounds each year.
  9. Have a look at ‘What you can do to help bees now’ and try and make a difference through your own behaviour.
  10. Flowering plants that can help bees from early spring onwards – click here to see them.
  11. Time to start planting – choose flowers with pollen that bees can get to easily e.g. single flower varieties, and those that will provide a succession of flowers for as long as possible during the year.
  12. Bees need water – make sure there is a source available, especially on hot days.

For more ‘things you need to know about bees’ click here!