I saved a bee

Last weekend, whilst sitting in the garden and finally enjoying the sunshine, my dogs drew attention to something bumbling around on the floor. Upon taking a closer look, I noticed it was a bee who was displaying signs that it was struggling. I couldn't decipher whether this bee was harmed, but I remembered reading that when you see a bee struggling, it is always best to give them the opportunity to rest, move them to a safe location away from predators or anyone who could walk on it, into nectar-rich flowers, or if that is not possible a sugar water mix. This can either give them a last final gift before they die, or with some hope, give them the energy to continue to do all the good that bees do!

Sadly, our Summer flowers haven't bloomed just yet, I believe its due to the rubbish weather we have been having, and the fact that my back garden is particularly shaded. As a result, there was only one thing for it. I ran to my kitchen to mix equal parts of white granulated sugar and water (e.g., one teaspoon of sugar to one teaspoon of water) remembering not use artificial sweeteners or honey, as they can be harmful to bees. (The irony!)

I checked to see how 'he' looked once I had lifted 'him' up to safety. His wings all looked in tact. They weren't at all tattered, which would indicate that 'he' might be dying. Although I had noticed 'him' writhing around on the floor, I believed I just had a little tired bee, who needed to have some rest and a little burst of energy. I was so hopeful, and so I sat and watched carefully.

It wasn't long at all before I noticed my little bee's tongue roll from 'his' head onto the plate. I will be honest, this is the first time I have ever seen this, and I was fascinated. I found out that most bees have a pointed tongue with a tip that acts almost spoon-like. I watched 'him' move his tongue around the plate I had put a very shallow amount of water/sugar mixture on. and it wasn't long at all before I saw how this was helping 'him' to move around so much easier. Finally, after a great rest, my lovely bee flew away. I felt wonderful for the rest of the day!

Why does it matter?

Not only are bees particularly endearing to look at (the soft, fuzzy appearance of many bees, especially bumblebees, gives them a cuddly look, and their large, dark eyes often appear expressive and add to their charm) but they are also so incredibly important to us.

I was alarmed a few years ago to find out that without bees, it would take very little time before our whole ecosystem collapsed. They are imperative for our ecological health, agriculture, and biodiversity. In summary, bees play a vital role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystems, supporting agriculture and food security, and promoting biodiversity. Their decline poses significant risks to environmental health and human well-being, making their conservation critical. By helping a bee recover, we are enabling it to continue its role in pollination. This contributes to the health of plants and the production of fruits and vegetables, supporting both natural ecosystems and agriculture. Each bee saved contributes to the overall bee population. While saving one bee might seem small, these individual efforts collectively help maintain healthier bee communities.

Long-term Support for Bees:

While helping individual bees is beneficial, long-term support for bee populations involves broader efforts:

• Plant Bee-friendly Flowers: Grow a variety of plants that bloom at different times of the year to provide continuous food sources.
• Avoid Pesticides: Reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides in your garden, as they can be harmful to bees.
• Support Local Beekeepers: Buy honey and other bee products from local, sustainable sources to support beekeeping practices that are beneficial to bee populations.
• Create Habitats: Provide habitats such as bee hotels or leaving some areas of your garden wild to give bees a place to nest.

World Bee Day is celebrated annually on May 20th. This aims to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators, the threats they face, and their contribution to sustainable development. Various activities and events take place globally to mark the occasion, and it felt like my little tired bee gave me the opportunity to really consider this the weekend just before this date! This date is is a multifaceted event that combines education, advocacy, and celebration to highlight the essential role bees play in our ecosystems and the urgent need to protect them. So my question I want to leave with you today, is what could you do to try to save bees and celebrate their marvel?

I have a video on my facebook Pixie Bee - 'Let's get hooked' page if you want to take a look at 'him' dancing around the plate really having a great time and getting all the energy he could before he was able to fly away.