I get asked all the time what can be done to help the bees or reduce harm to the bees. And trust me, ask three beekeepers their opinion, you’ll easily get a dozen different answers.
- Plant native plants. This can be flowers, shrubbery, trees, herbs, fruits and vegetables.
- Grouping plantings together saves energy for our tiny friends.
- Leave the dandelions and clover! I used to hate them. I’d weed n’ feed my lawn. Not anymore. They are one of the first Spring sources of food for honeybees.
- Avoid using insecticides where bees forage.
- If you must use herbicides (please don’t), aim to spray at dusk when bees are not out foraging.
- Do not open feed with sugar water or fruits. You might think this is helpful, but this activity can and will cause robbing behavior in bees and wasps.
- Call a beekeeper if you see a swarm. They will be happy to help!
- Beneficial ground-dwelling bees have a better shot at overwintering if we wait to clean up leaves until frost is no longer a threat.
