Bees in the Garden
Creatures with a purpose in our environment
Photo: © Down the Lane
BEES
The population of Bees in Europe has on average lessened by 20% over the last 20 years. However, in the UK it is estimated to be a 53% drop. All the more reason to see these most useful of creatures are recognized as being extremely beneficial to us and welcome them in our Gardens.
Bees will help pollinate our Plants and in return give us Honey and Waxes. From these two comes food, medicines, cosmetics and more. After all what is more natural and untouched than pure Honey!
Bees are attracted to almost any Flower be it Flower, Vegetable or Weed.
If they are not housed in a Beekeeper's Hive they will find and make their own Hives, often in Trees and Lofts in Houses.
A Nest or Hive can contain up to 60,000.
Should you have one, do not try and destroy it, go to the British Beekeepers Association web site and look for your local Branch. Beekeepers will gladly take it off your hands, they know what they're doing and you have the knowledge they will be in a good home and their produce put to good use.
Bee fact - They can flap their wings at 11,000 times a second and will fly up to 3 miles from their Hive to get good pollen.
Photo: © Down the Lane
BUMBLE BEES
Bumble Bee's do not make Honey, instead they make a smaller Nectar food store so unsuitable for humans. Mice and Squirrels are known to raid their nests.
Like Honey Bees they live in Colonies with a single Queen, but a population of a Nest is made up of only 50 or so.
It is not unusual to be stung by a Bumble Bee (female) but one has to consider they can fly up to 15 meters a second, so if you're unlucky enough to walk out from a corner at the wrong time...bad luck ! Unlike the normal Bee, they will not die after stinging.
The fact they live in small colonies means, from a swarming point of view, they are not a nuisance. Leave them alone to pollinate your Garden Plants and they're about the friendliest things you can have in your Garden.