Some people don’t like bees. The slightest buzz sends them into full-on screaming-and-arm-flailing mode. But although few gardeners would welcome a bee nest on their patch, there are some real advantages from inviting these fuzzy, buzzy friends in.
Bees help plants reproduce through pollination, while plant pollen and nectar allows bees and colonies to thrive. It’s a mutually beneficial cycle that has existed for millions of years. And while honeybee hives contain tens of thousands of individual insects, bumblebee nests typically contain fewer than 50 bees. Bumbles like to build nests in dry, dark cavities; some species prefer underground nests beneath garden sheds, compost heaps or abandoned rodent holes, while others nest above ground in trees or bird houses.
The first step in making your garden bee-friendly is to grow the right types of plants – particularly in spring. This is when queens search for an ideal nest location, and will be attracted to gardens with lots of pollen and nectar-rich plants to provide plentiful food for their first batch of eggs.
Consider organic planting of native and wild varieties with a simple flower, rather than more exotic blooms with complex flower structures. Think roses, geraniums and clematis, and even flowering herbs such as thyme, borage and chive. Ivy is also an important autumn source of pollen and nectar for bees preparing for winter.
Just as a pond, water feature or other source of drinking water encourages wildlife and birds into your garden, providing a place to drink also helps your bees – they need moisture the same as every other living creature. If you see a bee in distress – walking along the ground rather than flying – help it out by supplying a few drops of water/sugar mixture as a nectar substitute.
Most of us are afraid of being stung by bees, but they only sting when they perceive a threat to themselves or their colony. Most species of bees aren’t naturally aggressive and will not sting without considerable provocation. The best advice is to give them space – and in particular don’t get too close to the nest itself, as they may act to defend their colony and queen.
With experts warning of alarming reductions in worldwide bee populations – due to factors such as harmful agricultural insecticides and loss of natural habitats – we can all play our small part in supporting the humble bee and the important part it plays in the earth’s delicate ecosystem.