Without bees, no food

Bees are very hard-working small creatures, not for nothing we use the expression “busy bee”! They are important to our food chain: without bees, no food! Bees bring pollen over from one to another flower. Flowers should be fertilised to produce eventually a seed or fruit, and we and animals need this as food. Did you know that about 75% of the agricultural crops in Europe are pollinated by bees?

Honey products and biodiversity

In addition to the pollination, bees ensuring of course honey, beeswax, propolis and royal jelly. The poison released at a bee sting, is used as medicine. For MS patients and people with rheumatism is bee sting therapy applied. (Source: www.imkerijerik.nl) Finally, by their pollination bees take contribute to more biodiversity of native wild flowers and plants.

Awareness

Het nut van bijenUnfortunately, the bee population decreased for years. Because man pollutes, plant less, flowers and plants in their gardens and use pesticides in the agriculture, many – too many – bees die. In Amsterdam there is being worked actively to get these diligent workers back. There are bees’ palaces and -houses placed everywhere. There are even several foundations that aim to promote biodiversity and to make people aware of the importance of bees and a healthy, natural living environment. Such as De Bloeiende Stad and Ilovebeeing. By the way, did you know that for 1 kilo of honey 40,000 to 60,000 flights should be flown?

What can you do?

What can you do in your garden or on your balcony?

o   build a bee house. It is very easy to make one yourself or buy one in an organic shop. Check it out on dier-en-natuur.infonu;

o   dig a pit early in the spring with one slope in the sun. Solitary bees, will make a small hole here, and you have something wonderful to look at;

o   give a few vegetables the opportunity to get flowers, they love it;

o   plant-native- wild plants, such as goldenrod, dog-rose, poppy and thyme.

o   never kill them. They are not dangerous and will never sting you as long you leave them alone.