10 ways to help save the bees!OVER 90 PER CENT of the world's plants rely on insect and animal pollinators for fertilization fertilization, in biology, process in the reproduction of both plants and animals, involving the union of two unlike sex cells (gametes), the sperm and the ovum, followed by the joining of their nuclei. and reproduction. Bees are the most common and most important of those pollinators and they're in serious trouble--mostly because of us. We have destroyed much of their natural habitat, planted millions of hectares with monocrops like soy and maize maize: see corn. , and doused our farmlands with poisonous chemicals. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Reforming the dominant agricultural model is a major challenge. But in the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile we can do a lot to help our buzzing buddies. 1 Get off the chemical treadmill MODERN INSECTICIDES insecticides, chemical, biological, or other agents used to destroy insect pests; the term commonly refers to chemical agents only. Chemical Insecticides are powerful, persistent and deadly to bees and other insects. Probably the single most important thing you can do is to stop using them, completely. And don't be afraid to proselytize pros·e·ly·tize v. pros·e·ly·tized, pros·e·ly·tiz·ing, pros·e·ly·tiz·es v.intr. 1. To induce someone to convert to one's own religious faith. 2. . Convince your friends and neighbours to drop the chemical addiction too. Some jurisdictions have already banned or limited pesticide use. There are better ways of dealing with pests--like biological and organic controls. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2 Go wild IF YOU HAVE space in your garden, let some of it go wild to create a safe haven 1. Designated area(s) to which noncombatants of the United States Government's responsibility and commercial vehicles and materiel may be evacuated during a domestic or other valid emergency. 2. for bees, insects and small mammals. Gardens that are too tidy are not wildlife friendly. So leave some messy spots with dense plantings and brush piles that bees, birds and other animals can use to construct nests. By encouraging natural predators like frogs, toads, spiders, birds and ladybugs you'll end up with fewer garden pests like aphids and slugs See State and local government series. . [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 3 Boost diversity A DIVERSITY of plants and flowers will provide bees, butterflies and other pollinators with food throughout the growing season growing season, period during which plant growth takes place. In temperate climates the growing season is limited by seasonal changes in temperature and is defined as the period between the last killing frost of spring and the first killing frost of autumn, at which . Select plants that provide a lot of nectar and pollen. Many ornamentals have been bred to produce little or none of these essential foods. To attract bats and nocturnal moths, consider night-blooming plants. To provide bees with the best sources of food -and to prevent the spread of invasive species--choose as many plants native to your region as possible. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 4 Avoid the demon seed MANY FARMERS now buy seeds coated with clothianidin and other systemic insecticides. These can cause the entire plant to become toxic to bees and other insects. The same coatings may soon appear on garden seeds. Check your seed packets carefully. If there's any doubt don't buy until you know the whole story. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 5 Beware hidden killers SOME COMMERCIAL compost now contains imidacloprid, a deadly insecticide insecticide Any of a large group of substances used to kill insects. Such substances are mainly used to control pests that infest cultivated plants and crops or to eliminate disease-carrying insects in specific areas. . It is highly toxic highly toxic Occupational medicine adjective Referring to a chemical that 1. Has a median lethal dose–LD50 of ≤ 50 mg/kg when administered orally to 200-300 g albino rats 2. to all insects and all soil life, including earthworms. Plants absorb the chemical and if you use this compost in hanging baskets bees seeking water from the moist compost may be killed. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 6 Drinks on the house IT'S HOT AND dry and you're thirsty. Hey, so are the bees. Give them something to drink. You can provide water in a birdbath or shallow bowl; add a few pebbles so bees can easily climb in and out. Bees and butterflies love a mud puddle (they soak up valuable nutrients from the soil) so don't worry if things get a bit mucky. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 7 Be a guerrilla gardener BUY A FEW packs of wildflower wildflower Any flowering plant that grows without intentional human aid. Wildflowers are the source of all cultivated garden varieties of flowers. A wildflower growing where it is unwanted is considered a weed. seeds and comb your neighbourhood for a patch or two of wasteland. All you need to do is scratch the seeds into the soil and let nature do its work. You'll improve the neighbourhood as well as increase the number of native plants. And your pollinator friends will love you for it. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 8 Help the natives UNLIKE HONEYBEES, native bees (there are thousands of different kinds) live in burrows in the ground or in trees. Most bumblebees build nests in grassy tussocks. But some local bees will also nest in a bee box in your garden. Providing shelter for bees will also guarantee a healthy harvest of fruit and veg. (Note: generally, the 'solitary' bee species that use these nests don't swarm or sting.) 9 Give bees a chance IF YOU HAVE space you could offer a corner of your garden to a local beekeeper as a place to keep a hive or two. They will need to have regular access, so bear this in mind when considering a site. The flowers will love you. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 10 Support your local beekeeper THE 100-MILE diet is more than a fad. It's recognition that high-tech farming is bad news for the environment and for human health. So buy direct from your local beekeeper, preferably one who avoids chemicals and produces natural, unpasteurized Adj. 1. unpasteurized - not having undergone pasteurization unpasteurised honey. You'll never buy supermarket honey again. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] |
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