Tips for Bee Conservation that Anyone Can Follow

It is World Bee Day on 20 May!

Why do we celebrate it? World Bee Day aims to raise public awareness of the importance of bees and provide collective support to protect our tiny workers. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating plants, including our precious Manuka, ensuring the reproduction of many crops and wildflowers. Without bees, our food supply and ecosystem would suffer. It's vital to recognize the interconnectedness of all plants and their reliance on bees for pollination.

Each of us can make a difference in preserving bee populations. Here are our top tips on how we can contribute to bee conservation efforts on World Bee Day and protect our precious bees.

1. Plant Bee-Friendly Flowers
   Enhance bee habitats by planting a variety of bee-friendly flowers in your garden or community spaces. Opt for native plants that offer abundant nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. Choose a diverse selection of flowers with different shapes, colours, and bloom times to attract a wide range of bee species. By providing a continuous food source, you can help sustain bee populations in your area.
   
   
2. Provide Water Sources for Bees
   Ensure bees have access to clean water by providing shallow dishes or trays filled with fresh water in your garden or outdoor spaces. Plain tap water is best. Bees need water not only for hydration but also for regulating the temperature and humidity levels inside their hives. Place the water dish in a sunny location and add floating objects like twigs or stones to provide landing spots for bees and minimise the risk of drowning. Providing water sources is especially important during hot and dry periods.
   
   
3. Avoid Chemical Pesticides and Herbicides
   Protect bees from harmful chemicals by avoiding the use of synthetic pesticides and herbicides in your garden or landscape. Instead, opt for natural pest control methods such as companion planting, biological controls, and organic, oil based pesticides. By minimising chemical exposure, you can create a safer environment for bees to forage and thrive without the risk of pesticide-related harm. If you must apply pesticides, then do so early in the morning or in the evenings, when bees a not foraging, but we encourage you to look for alternatives wherever you can.
   
   
4. Provide Bee Habitats
   Create nesting sites and shelters for bees by incorporating bee-friendly habitat features into your garden or outdoor spaces. Install bee hotels, nesting boxes, and brush piles to offer refuge for solitary bees and other native pollinators. By providing suitable habitat, you can support the nesting and reproduction of diverse bee species.
   
   
5. Support mindful and sustainably operating Beekeepers
   Shop from beekeepers who prioritise bee health and practice sustainable beekeeping methods. Choose beekeepers who use ethical practices such as minimal hive interventions, organic hive management, and responsible honey harvesting techniques. At Manuka Honey of NZ we work only with Manuka Honey brands who apply bee friendly and sustainable practices.

On World Bee Day and every day, we have the precious opportunity to make a positive impact on bee populations. By implementing some of these practical actions, you can contribute to the conservation and well-being of bees in your own backyard and beyond whether you live in the city or in the country, everyone can take part of bee conservation. Let's work together to create a world where bees thrive and keep providing us with our beautiful Manuka Honey. Happy World Bee Day!