In Germany, the bee is the third most important livestock after cattle and pigs. An estimated 80% of crops are pollinated by busy bees. It is therefore obvious how important species protection for bees is. With these tips, you too can easily do something to protect the bees every day.
Tip 1: Bee-friendly plants
On the balcony, in the garden or on the terrace: bee-friendly plants can be sown anywhere and not only offer bees and other insects a source of food, but also a habitat. You can find out which plants are suitable for bees in this article read.
Tip 2: Choose honey from the region
Almost 80% of the honey we consume comes from imports. The problem with this: Honeys from the supermarket are often mixtures of honeys from EU countries and non-EU countries. The exact origin is not specified. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out whether this honey also contains pollen from genetically modified plants. The long transport routes represent an additional burden on the environment.
If you buy honey, look for local beekeepers and find out how the honey is made. Although the honey is usually a little more expensive than in the supermarket, you support local bee colonies and the regional flora.
Tip 3: Avoid chemical insect control
Are you plagued by ants, flies or mosquitoes? We often resort to fast-acting insecticides, which unfortunately not only poison the pests, but also beneficial insects such as bees. Therefore, avoid using pesticides, herbicides and biocides in the house and garden.
4. Prefer bee-friendly foods
There are many good reasons to buy seasonal food from regional organic farms. By supporting farmers who do not use chemical pesticides, you are also supporting the bees. Look out for organic food in the supermarket, but look carefully!
5. Cool down
The hotter the summer, the harder it is for hard-working bees to find suitable watering holes. If you have a shady, windless spot in your garden or on the balcony, you can easily make a small bee waterer. To do this, simply take a flat vessel like a clay bowl, fill it with water and place sticks and some moss for bees to land on.
Sources: https://www.bienenretter.de/hilf-den-bienen/
https://www.smarticular.net/wege-wie-jeder-den-bienen-helfen-kann-petitionen-sind-nicht-genug/