6 tips for a bee-friendly lifestyle

Bee conscience plants and smart consumer choices may help save the declining bee populations.

Source: Getty Images

It’s no secret that bees are in danger. Climate change, colony collapse disorder, and industrial farming practices have been key players in the declining populations of the critical pollinators. For the first time this year, the yellow-faced bee was placed on the endangered species list. The decimation of bee populations also poses a threat to agriculture.

Coconut toast with ricotta and honey. Source: China Squirrel

Get the recipe for this coconut toast with ricotta and honey right here.

 

Here are six ways to live a bee-friendly life.

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1. Install a water fountain

Honeybees can’t get a sufficient amount of water from drinking nectar, so they seek additional sources. By providing a shallow water source with landing rocks in your yard, you’ll encourage bees to stay longer and continue to pollinate plants. Just be sure to invest in a babbling feature since mosquitos breed in stagnant water. Experts recommend changing water daily as a precaution against mosquitoes carrying zika.

2. Plant colorful flowers

Bees’ color perception is vivid, but their ultraviolet color spectrum causes red and green hues to look similar, making it difficult for them to find flowers to pollinate. Plant blue, white, or yellow flowers to make it easier for bees to find pollen.  

3. Know your weeds

Often perceived as weeds, clovers and dandelions are a prominent food source for honeybees and other pollinators. Wildflowers are also rich in pollen and provide protein that strengthens bee colonies.

4. Grow single-petal plants

Single-petal plants such as sunflowers and flowering cacti give bees easier access to nectar and pollen. That allows them to flourish and strengthens their reproductive health. 

5. Avoid pesticide use

The use of pesticides on agricultural fields, school grounds, and homes is common. But although bugs can damage crops and weeds are an eyesore, using pesticides to kill them impairs bee reproductivity and development. Pesticide use has also been linked to chronic health issues in humans. Increased use of nontoxic alternatives and an overall decrease in use of pesticides would be the bee’s knees in saving the little pollinators.

6. Buy local honey

A lot of the honey found on supermarket shelves is imported. When honey is transported over long distances, manufacturers may chemically treat it to maintain its quality. Honey found at farmers markets comes straight from local beekeepers; buying it there encourages sustainable practices.  

 

This article originally appeared on takepart.com. Read the original here.

 

Peter Kuruvita's Coastal Kitchen looks at the future of farming and Peter meets the Queen Bee, whose adopt-a-beehive program is helping solve the declining bee epidemic. For honey-inspired recipe ideas check out our recipe collection here.