World_of_Animals_Issue_46_2017

Gardening gone wild
Bees pollinate our plants and provide honey
Bees are one of the most familiar and iconic insect
families, yet they need our help more than ever.
With vast areas of the countryside set aside for
environmentally damaging industrial agriculture,
bees have lost much of the varied rural habitat that
they previously relied upon. As a result, many of
the UK’s bee species are now extinct, and a host of
other species are now endangered.
Wildlife-friendly gardens serve as an important
refuge for bees, providing them with the diversity
Gathering nectar is the
bumblebee’s favourite
daytime activity
of plants and natural shelters that they need if they
are to survive. The bees in our gardens can be
broadly categorised into three groups: honeybees,
bumblebees and solitary bees. All are important
pollinators, and can be attracted by planting flowers
such as crocuses, alliums, geraniums, lavender,
sunflowers and wisteria.
Trees are also a vital food source for bees – just
five established trees can provide the same amount
of pollen as an acre (0.4 hectares) of meadow.
How to attract bees
Beckon these buzzing little workers
and watch your garden flourish
Invest in an insect house
Keep weeds like dandelions
and clover
Avoid pesticides and insecticides
Plant bee-friendly flowers and trees
Leave out water droplets on
pebbles or marbles
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