We must all take care of the bees

Let Bees Be

You may have been saddened to find a dead bee on the ground. In the last several years I have found quite a few and I am troubled that people keep using pesticides that kill bees.

We are told that pesticides are the culprit, but part of the trouble lies with the human value scheme and the lack of understanding that without the bees we would starve.

Bees pollinate the flowers that become the food we eat. We depend on vegetables for life and good nutrition.

There are relatively few pollinators around. Moths, birds, bats and butterflies are among recognizable pollinators that we depend on for the human food supply.

Many gardeners and home owners who are concerned about what they can do to help the bees are among those who put water out for them to drink.

Since bees like plants that naturally live in the area of their habitat, you can also find information on www.pollinator.org and give your zip code on the Planting Guide page to find s list of plants recommended for your area.

When you check the plants’ bloom period you can plant flowers that will last from spring to fall. The bees will love them. You should also be able to find flowers that will match your location at your local nursery.

Bees love roses, and flat flowers like daisies and asters because it is easier for pollinators to collect pollen.

Vegetables like squash and cucumbers have big flowers that are also easy for bees to gather pollen from.

Those people who know bees well say that they like blue, violet and yellow flowers best.

Do NOT USE toxic pesticides on your flowers because they are so lethal to pollinators.

Although we rarely see bees taking a drink of water, they like gardens with water. They will like to drink even more if you use a flat dish with high sides and put a few clean stones and sticks and perhaps a leaf in the bowl that a bee could stand on or grab while drinking.

Birdbaths are also a favorite spot for bees.