It’s Time to Seriously Protect Our Bees

home insemination Kit

When my son was just four years old, he became a hero to a wild swarm of bees. One sunny summer afternoon, while we were playing outside, he pointed to our apple tree, exclaiming that it looked “fuzzy.” I followed his finger and nearly lost my cool when I saw a basketball-sized cluster of buzzing bees on a branch. Panic set in: Was anyone allergic? Were we about to be swarmed? Who do you even call for a bee emergency?

Luckily, our town has a Bee Guardian—yes, really! Meet Jake Thompson, a local legend in Maine known for rescuing wild bee swarms and easing parental fears like mine. I quickly reached out, and he arrived with a trunk full of gear, including two white bee suits—one for me and one for my little guy. To my sheer delight, we suited up and got to participate in saving these fascinating little pollinators.

As we got closer to the swarm, Jake engaged my son in conversation, sharing the wonders of bees and explaining how these amazing creatures are vital to our food system. Thanks to this whirlwind experience of touching a swarm and listening to Jake, my son absorbed some critical lessons about the importance of bees.

Did you know that bees are the ultimate pollinators? Farmers even pay to have them transported to their fields just to pollinate crops. Those delicious almonds, pumpkins, blueberries, and potatoes we love? Yep, you can thank bees for those! According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, bees contribute over $15 billion to our agricultural economy each year, while honey bees alone produce more than $150 million worth of honey annually. That’s a substantial slice of the food pie.

However, bees are facing serious threats, particularly from colony collapse disorder. This issue has been linked to pesticides, climate change, habitat destruction, and harmful parasites. Since 2006, beekeepers and researchers have raised alarms about this crisis. The NRDC estimates that a staggering one-third of honey bees in the U.S. have disappeared, marking the lowest population numbers in over five decades. This is concerning!

So, what can you do to help?

• Purchase local honey from farmers and beekeepers who practice safe methods like avoiding harmful pesticides.
• Support local agriculture by visiting farmers’ markets and talking to farmers directly.
• Contribute to research initiatives by funding organizations focused on preserving bee populations. If you notice bee die-offs or suspect pesticide usage, you can report it to the National Pesticide Information Center.
• And if you spot a fuzzy branch and think there might be a wild swarm in need of help? Call your local bee guardian! You can find one near you through the American Beekeeping Federation.

Another fun family project is to plant wildflowers in your yard. Bees adore wildflowers, and having a variety increases bumble bee survival rates by up to four times!

If my four-year-old can lend a hand in saving a swarm of bees, surely the rest of us can educate ourselves about their unique role in our ecosystem. It’s crucial to share this knowledge with our kids and do our part to help revive bee populations. Let’s get started today!

For more insights on related topics, check out our post about home insemination kits. You can also learn from experts at Make a Mom about effective home insemination practices, and visit the NHS for excellent information on pregnancy and insemination.