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SAVE THE BEES

World Bee Day is on 20 May and LYON RAW Artisan Honey
is committed to creating awareness of our honey bees
and their worldwide decline. We simply cannot sustain our
food resources without the crucial work of pollinators, of
which honey bees are the most important. Please help our
honey bees by saying NO to harmful pesticides. Instead,
explore companion planting to manage garden pests.
Delay pruning of shrubs and trees until after flowering and
remember that many weeds are a great source of pollen
and nectar.

uzzing bees is one of my favourite while almonds are entirely dependent long bamboo stick, with feathers attached
sounds, reminding me of tasting on the honey bee. Sadly, our honey bees to the end, to transfer pollen from one
Bthose first golden drops straight from are dying off at an alarming rate. Loss blossom to the next.
the honeycomb and the glorious scent of of habitat, lack of foraging, diseases,
fresh honey. It is however the bee’s role as alien bee invasions, and the overuse of So yes, it is possible for our honey bees to
pollinator that is of such vital importance. pesticides are some of the causes for their die out entirely. The question is; can we
These little miracle workers are the world’s sharp decline. afford for this to happen?
most important pollinators and, according
to the Food and Agricultural Organisation At a honey bee talk, a little girl asked me HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP SAVE
of the UN, 78%-92% of the Earth’s flower if it was possible for honey bees to die out OUR HONEY BEES
and seed-producing plants depend on entirely. Let me tell you a Hanyuan County
bees (and other pollinators) for their story. In the south Sichuan province of • Please say NO to pesticides. Even “bee
survival. China, Hanyuan is home to pear orchards friendly” chemicals which do not kill
which carpet the mountains down into the the honey bees on contact are harmful.
The honey bee is the most important valleys. This region is entirely dependent Research suggests that these chemicals
single species for crop pollination, on this crop. And it isn’t the honey bees may interfere with the honey bee’s
responsible for pollinating two-thirds of they have to thank. In fact, the honey ability to navigate and may also affect
the world’s food resources for humankind. bees died out due to uncontrolled use the development of the baby bees.
If you enjoy apples, berries, cucumbers, of pesticides in the 1980s. They lost their Rather, explore companion planting to
pumpkins, melons, stone fruit and entire bee population. Now in April each manage garden pests.
avocados – to mention but a few – you year, the pollination of each blossom is • Allow flowers to bloom before pruning
have our honey bees to thank. Some crops, done by hand. Needless to say, humans hedges or shrubs. Pollen is a source
including blueberries and cherries, are are far less efficient pollinators than honey of protein whilst nectar provides
90% dependent on honey bee pollination bees. Labourers stand on ladders and use a carbohydrates for honey bees.

Landscape SA • Issue 93 2020 33