Sasha CampbellImagine a world without buzzing bees. Many plants would produce fewer fruits and seeds, fruits and vegetables would become harder to grow, and honey would disappear from store shelves.
A world without these things would be a lot poorer, and many of these joys and necessities would become scarce.
Benefits of Bees in the Garden and the Environment
Bees play a significant role in agriculture. Without them, fresh produce (among other things) would decline.
1. Pollinators
Many crops and millions of plants rely on pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, to reproduce and thrive.
The familiar buzzing bee comes in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Bees are among the world’s most important and efficient pollinators.
Without bees, many fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds would become much harder to grow [1]. Our diets would have far fewer healthy foods.
Thankfully, these hard-working insects carry pollen from flower to flower every day.
This helps both bees and plants. Bees collect nectar for food while flowers get pollinated so they can produce seeds and fruit.
As bees visit flowers to collect nectar, they also help plants produce fruits and seeds. The flowers then continue to provide bees with food.
Their furry bodies are also perfect for collecting pollen and transferring it between flowers while they gather nectar.
2. Food Source
Bees have made honey for a very long time. People have collected and enjoyed honey for thousands of years. Honey is also an important source of energy for bees.
Nectar provides energy for bees, while pollen supplies protein and other essential nutrients. Together, they help the entire hive thrive.
Bees are also food for birds, dragonflies, spiders, and other insects. They are an important part of the food chain.
3. Biodiversity
Bees are vital to our ecosystem. They help grow crops and wild plants that feed people and animals.
They also help support many other species by pollinating the plants that form important habitats.
Without bees, our food supply would be severely affected.
Understanding this vital factor has led to global concern about the decline in bee populations. As a result, steps have been taken to protect our bees [2].
4. Help Protect the Environment
The multiple benefits of bees help to protect the environment.
By pollinating plants, bees help grow food and habitats for many animals. These animals help keep nature healthy.
Many species would struggle to survive without bees and other pollinators. Forests, gardens, and other habitats all benefit from their work.
5. Help Wild Plants Flourish
It isn’t just garden flowers, fruit trees, and vegetables that depend on pollinators; wild plants also do.
Wildflowers help keep nature healthy.
Some pesticides can kill bees or harm their health. They may also make it harder for bees to find food.
Many bees visit wildflowers and berry bushes to collect nectar and pollen. As they move from flower to flower, they help pollinate these plants.
Many flowering trees also depend on bees to move pollen from one flower to another.
Why Are Bees Important for Food?
Bees help pollinate many of the foods we eat. When bees move pollen from one flower to another, plants can produce fruits and seeds.
Apples, berries, cucumbers, pumpkins, almonds, and many other foods benefit from bee and other pollinator activity.
Not every food crop needs bees. However, without bees and other pollinators, many healthy foods could become harder to grow and more expensive.
What Happens If Bees Disappear?
If all bees disappeared, our food supply would change greatly [3]. We would not lose all our food because crops like wheat, rice, and corn are mainly pollinated by wind or do not need insect pollination.
However, many fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds would become harder to produce.
Wild plants would also suffer. This could reduce food and shelter for birds, insects, and other animals.
A world without bees would have less biodiversity and fewer of the foods we enjoy.
Why Are Bee Populations Declining?
Some bee species are declining, while others are facing serious threats.
Bees face several dangers. These include habitat loss, pesticides, parasites, diseases, and climate change.
When wild areas are replaced with roads and buildings, bees lose flowers and nesting places.
Some pesticides can also harm bees. Climate change may affect when plants flower and make it harder for bees to find food.
Protecting natural areas and planting bee-friendly flowers can help.
Bees also need a steady supply of flowers for food. When gardens and farms have few flowering plants, bees may struggle to find enough nectar and pollen.
Common Types of Bees
It is estimated that there are over 20,000 bee species worldwide [4]. The ones we are most familiar with are the noisy bumblebees, mason bees, and honeybees.
Mason Bees
Most mason bees live alone instead of in large colonies.
Mason bees are excellent pollinators. A single mason bee can pollinate many more flowers than a single honey bee in some situations because of the way it carries pollen.
They get their name because some species use mud or clay to build walls around their nests, much like a mason uses bricks and mortar.
Honey Bees
Honey bees are among the most important pollinators.
A honey bee colony has one queen, thousands of worker bees, and a few drones. Worker bees do most of the jobs, including collecting nectar and pollen.
In winter, they eat their stored honey for energy. They also stay close together to keep warm.
Bumble Bees
In many bumblebee species, only the young queen survives the winter. The rest of the colony dies in late fall or winter.
Bumblebees are active from spring through fall, visiting many flowers each day.
How to Attract Bees to Your Garden
There are several ways to invite them to your garden. Two simple ways to attract bees are to plant bee-friendly flowers and provide a safe source of water.
Water Sources
Bees need water, just like other animals. A shallow water source, such as a birdbath or lily pond, can give them a place to drink.
Place rocks or stones in the water to give bees safe landing spots and help prevent them from drowning.
Flowering Plants
A wide variety of flowers and herbs attract bees. These include mint, bee balm, and oregano.
Rosemary and lavender are also among their favorites.
Additionally, flowers such as asters, zinnias, and daisies are popular with many bees. Other bee-friendly flowers include poppies and foxgloves.
Also, don’t forget the bright marigolds, which offer many garden benefits beyond creating a pretty patch of color.
Shrubs like lilac and buddleia attract bees, butterflies, and many other helpful insects. They also brighten up garden borders.
If you have extra space, planting a small wildflower patch can provide food for lots of bees.
Fun Facts About Bees
- There are more than 20,000 species of bees in the world [5].
- Not all bees live in hives. Most bee species are solitary.
- Male honey bees are called drones.
- Worker bees are female.
- Honey bees use a special dance to help other bees find flowers.
- Bumblebees can vibrate their bodies to release pollen from certain flowers.
- Bees have five eyes.
- Bees can see ultraviolet light, which helps them find markings on some flowers.
- Honey bees make honey to store as food for their colony.
- Many bees are gentle and do not want to sting people.
Where to Buy Seeds
Ready to help bees in your own garden? Start by planting a variety of flowers that provide nectar and pollen.
You can purchase pollinator-friendly seed mixes from SeedsNow or other reputable retailers.
Takeaway
Bees are beneficial to the gardener and essential to the environment.
Bees do much more than make honey. They help grow many of the fruits, vegetables, flowers, and wild plants we enjoy every day.
By planting bee-friendly flowers and avoiding harmful pesticides, everyone can help protect these hardworking pollinators.
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