B is for Bees
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Bees – our friends
Bees are very important to us for many reasons:
- About 70 crops in the UK are dependent on, or benefit from, visits from bees. In fact, one third of the food we eat would probably not be available without the help of bees
- Bees also pollinate the flowers of many plants which become part of the feed for farm animals
- Bees also make yummy honey and honeycomb
- And don’t forget, that as well as for eating, honey is used in many crafts (such as candles), manufacturing and medical applications
In the UK there are about 270 different species, and the two most well known are the Bumble Bee and Honey Bee. Click here to find out more about bees and how they live.
But what’s happening to bees?
Bees are in danger of disappearing from our environment. Farming practices continue to disturb the natural habitats and forage of solitary and bumblebees at a rate which gives them little chance for re-establishment.
The honeybee is also under attack from the varroa mite and it is only the treatment and care provided by beekeepers that is keeping bee colonies alive. Most wild honeybee colonies have died out as a result of this disease.
The following short film explains more about what is happening to bees in the UK, including information on their recent decline and the potential causes of this decline.
Plan Bee
To help address the decline in bees, The Co-operative has launched its Plan Bee campaign.
As well as taking action on the use of pesticides,
The Co-operative has created a research fund and they’re inspiring people to help bees in their gardens.
On its Co-operative Farms, it has prohibited the use of six pesticides on its own-brand fresh and frozen produce, and is currently in the second year of a three year trial to develop a wildflower seed mix that will be planted alongside crops on the farms.
The Co-operative supports its members and customers to become bee-friendly gardeners, with advice and tips, through the Plan Bee campaign.
It gave away over 300,000 packets of seeds in 2010, and is making available discounted bee boxes which provide shelter for solitary bees.
What can you do?
Plant wildflower seeds – Brighten up your garden by planting wildflower seeds to provide essential nutrition for bees. Bees are more attracted to certain types of flowers.
Create shelter - Allow a patch of grass to grow long to provide bees with shelter from the rain.
Provide water - Provide water for bees to drink – this can be as simple as a shallow edged dish of water. Add some pebbles to help the bees climb out.
Avoid pesticides - Reduce the use of pesticides in your garden.
Protect swarms - If you see a swarm of bees, best go indoors and contact your local beekeeping association to collect the swarm.
Find out more about Plan Bee and what you can do to encourage healthier bees at www.co-operative.co.uk/planbee
The Fun Kids A to Z of Food, Health and the Environment brought to you by The Co-operative
