Bees are fantastic, and they play a crucial part in ensuring that humans have enough food to eat. However, you’ve most likely heard that these brilliant insects are in danger. Pesticides make these buzzers foolish, if not killing them, and urban growth means bees have to go farther to forage.
People have jumped on the beekeeping bandwagon in response to this threat. In recent years, the discipline of caring for and looking after thousands of bees has grown in popularity, particularly in cities. Beekeepers build hives in their backyards, on their rooftops, and even in their living rooms.
As thrilling as it is, Beekeeping is a hobby that demands the same level of commitment and responsibility as adopting a puppy. Not everyone is cut out for it, either. But don’t expect to be disappointed. There are many additional ways to help bees, and some of them don’t even require you to engage with insects or get out of your chair.
1.Set up a feeder
Cities with more people frequently have fewer and smaller green spaces. People will have less area to barbeque on weekends as a result. However, this means that bees and other pollinators will have to travel further from their nests and hives to obtain the food they require. Gas stations are essential, as anyone who has driven down the highway on fumes can attest.
Feeders are precisely what they sound like. Fill it with a nectar solution (one-part sugar to four parts water for hummingbirds, equal quantities of both for bees), place it where pollinators can find it (shady trees are ideal sites), and you’re good to go.
Clean your feeder entirely before refilling the nectar twice weekly during the summer and once weekly during the winter. That will aid in the prevention of mould formation.
2.Construct a pollinator garden
A pollinator garden, if a feeder is a gas station for bees, is a full rest stop, complete with bathrooms, a diversified food court, and perhaps even a quiet park nearby.
You may help pollinators by growing various plants, whether you have a backyard or merely a windowsill. However, which ones you get will be determined by where you live. Fortunately, we’ve put together a comprehensive tutorial on how to start your pollinator garden. You’ll learn how to make the most of your space and receive a list of specific plants to purchase from your local nursery.
3.Volunteering
Numerous groups want you to assist them in saving the bees. Find the most acceptable alternative for you by searching for “bee conservancy organizations around me.” Most websites have dedicated areas where you may sign up to help, and if they don’t, you can always contact them personally to inquire about volunteer possibilities.
Even if these black-and-yellow swarmers make you concerned, the good news is that you can aid the bees. The nonprofit Puget Sound Beekeepers Association in Seattle, for example, includes positions ranging from beekeeping assistants to content authors to honey salespeople.
As with any volunteer programme, make sure you read all of the information on the organization’s website and contact them with any questions you may have about the position you’re interested in. If possible, speak with other volunteers to better understand what they’re doing and whether the programme is a good fit for your skills and availability.
4.Seek out a mentor.
Being a mentee for a beekeeper is like babysitting your baby nephew once a week: you have fun, you work hard, and you get to go home free of responsibilities. Above all, you’ll get to learn the ins and outs of Beekeeping from someone who has done it before.
Most beekeepers learn their craft through mentorships. Most organizations, unlike volunteer programmes, do not have a sign-up sheet or application on which you can write your name. On the other hand, finding a mentor is a far more intuitive process that has a lot to do with the connection you have with your potential mentor.
But, before you head to your local beekeeping group in search of a wise sage, do your homework. Because it’s unlikely that someone will agree to be your mentor if they have to teach you everything from the beginning, your best bet is to conduct some research online or at your local library. There are numerous resources available, including reading lists for beginner beekeepers that will get you up to speed on all of the fundamentals.
Before looking for a mentor, you might wish to conduct volunteer work to gain the experience you’ll need to be a successful beekeeper’s assistant. The site Beekeeping Like a Girl provides some beautiful tips for locating a mentor, including screening candidates and setting reasonable goals.
Remember that everyone started as a newbie, so don’t hesitate to ask questions at your local beekeeping club.
5. Donate to a bee conservation organization.
That is by far the most mundane of all your bee-saving alternatives, but that doesn’t diminish its importance.
Every conservation organization needs resources, and if offering your work and time isn’t an option, contributing your money can certainly help. The most extraordinary approach for your money to impact your community is to donate to a local non-governmental organization or programme. Look for a local programme on the internet or contact your local beekeeping club to find out how you can help.
You can also aid groups like the American Beekeeping Federation or Pollinator Partnerships, which are both national and worldwide in scope. Most of these large organizations’ websites include pages where you can make recurring or one-time gifts without leaving your seat.
