Boosting Bee Populations: Environmental Benefits

Let’s face it; bees are quintessentially summer. For some, it will bring to mind the sumptuous soft honey they produce, and for others, it may be the very small prospect of being stung. With their recognisable buzzing as they swoop from flower to flower, you can’t deny they are a true sign that summer has arrived. But, these bright, cheery bees are so much more than that. Unless your head’s been stuck in that honey pot over the last few years, our bee population has been declining. Why should this bother you? Well, the WildaHome team just happens to be barmy about bees and for significant reasons too.

Bees are Fundamental to our Existence!

Simply put, bees are indispensable to our environment. They play a crucial role in the survival of the human race, so we all have a responsibility to share in ensuring their survival. It’s thanks to these tiny golden insects that we get to enjoy a range of foods from pears, apples, strawberries and cherries to broccoli, almonds and coffee. Even your cotton clothing is all down to the pollination of the cotton plant.

Why has our Bee Population Declined?

Predominantly it’s a combination of a decline in food sources and the use of pesticides. Our bees thrive on the nectar and pollen from flowers and plants. With vast swathes of rural and forested land being developed for human habitation, our bees’ rich food sources become less and less, making it harder for them to survive. The pesticides used in farms and gardens also threaten the lives of honey bees and other insects. Studies suggest that the chemicals used in pesticides cause the insects to lose their way home after their vital nectar and pollen collecting expeditions.

The Environmental Benefits of Bees

Bees play a pivotal role in our environment and our existence. Our tiny black and yellow, buzzy friends are excellent pollinators, and farmers rely on them! The humble bumblebee makes ideal pollinators for specific crops, and the smaller honeybees make excellent pollinators of flowers, with some flower species depending entirely on bees for pollination.

For those needing a refresher course, pollination is the transfer of pollen from the male part of the flower to the female part. Through this process, fertilisation of a plant is initiated, which then provides us with a plant seed, fruit or nut. Studies suggest that bees pollinate 85% of all food crops we consume together with crops for feeding cattle. In a nutshell, without bees, crops simply won’t grow, which leads to food shortages.

Putting the Buzz back into Bees!

So, what can we all do to help? It’s easy; by creating and developing crucial habitats for our bees not only ensures their survival but also allows for them to thrive and flourish too! It doesn’t matter if the site is large or small. By creating simple wildflower sites, we can boost our bee populations, which means we can grow more crops, increasing the food supply. But perhaps just as significant is the environmental impact that bees have. By developing areas that encourage bees and other essential insects like butterflies and hoverflies, we can keep the cycle of life in the insect world running. We can watch our countryside flourish with beauty and colour as our flowers and plants are pollinated into life by our very humble and important friends!

Wildflower seeds for Bees

At Wildahome we have seed wild flower seed mixes that are collected specifically for their ability to attract bees. Our wildflower see mixes are available for a variety of soil types and conditions, from loam to clay, from acid to chalk.

Get Some Advice

It’s a win-win situation for developers, residents and wildlife and one we’re very excited about. With a growing awareness of the need for individuals, companies and governments to take effective action to protect the environment, we see this as an important opportunity for different partners to work together and create sustainable, thriving communities of the future.

For more information about Wildahome’s consultancy services, contact Paul Stenning on 0333 242 0602 Or use the button below to get advice