Fun Things to Do

Honey bees are responsible for pollinating one-third of all the foods we eat. Yet the number of honey bees across the world is diminishing at an alarming rate because of the spread of virulent viruses. In the UK there are very few wild honey bee colonies, so British Beekeepers are absolutely vital in ensuring the survival of the honey bee.

Here are ten simple things you can do to help save our honey bees:

Adopt a Beehive

Keeping a beehive is not practical for everyone so you can support beekeepers by joining the British Beekeepers Association's Adopt a Beehive scheme. You will receive a special pack of honey-based products, a newsletter three times a year and information about beekeepers and events in your region. Your adoption money will go towards the research and education which is so urgently needed to help honey bees thrive. www.adoptabeehive.co.uk

Make a honey bee-friendly habitat

Any outdoor space – however small – can be made bee-friendly. You can encourage honey bees to visit by planting flowers like asters and sunflowers, hollyhocks, larkspur, foxgloves, mint, peas, beans and flowering herbs. If you have room, fruit trees are an excellent source of pollen for honey bees and many popular garden shrubs such as buddleia, hebe and hydrangea are also wonderful bee-magnets.

Encourage your local authority to be honey bee-friendly

A huge amount of open space, particularly in our towns and cities, is managed by local authorities. Whether it’s a park, a roundabout or a hanging basket, there is scope for more bee-friendly planting. Encourage your own local authority to improve these communal spaces by planting new wild flower meadows, and also re-establishing meadows in rural areas and along the borders of agricultural land. If resources are in short supply, perhaps you could offer to help maintain planted areas.

If you have space, let a local beekeeper use it

Perhaps you have space in your garden for a beehive but you are not keen to manage a hive yourself? If this sounds like you, contact your local beekeeping association and they may be able to match you to a beekeeper in need of a suitable site. Many would-be beekeepers, especially those in urban areas, don’t have the right spot for a hive. You will be amazed at the difference a beehive will make to your garden – crops of fruit and veg will be better and your flowers will be abuzz. You might even get a share of the honey too!

If you spot a swarm of bees, report it

Swarming is the natural process by which colonies of honey bees increase their numbers. If you see a swarm contact the local authority or the police - they will contact a local beekeeper to collect the swarm. Honey bees in a swarm are usually very gentle and present very little danger. They can be made aggressive if disturbed or sprayed with water. Just leave them alone and wait for a competent beekeeper to arrive.

Do not keep unwashed honey jars outside the back door

 Honey brought from overseas can contain bacteria and spores that are very harmful to honey bees. If you leave a jar outside it encourages honey bees to feed on the remaining honey. There is a good possibility that this will infect the bee who will infect the rest of the colony resulting in death of the colony. Always wash out honey jars and dispose of them carefully.

Contact your MP

Not enough is known about how to combat the diseases that affect honey bees. More money needs to be directed towards research into honey bee diseases and to help fund a five-year £8 million programme to implement the British Beekeepers Association’s research plan. Contact your local MP to ensure that he or she is aware of the plight of the honey bee and the additional funding required to support further research.

Invite a beekeeper to visit

 Honey bees have been on Earth for some 30 million years, but it is only in the last 5,000 years that they have been managed by humans to produce honey. Beekeepers are always happy to share their knowledge of this amazing insect with local groups, schools and clubs. Invite a local beekeeper to visit and tell you more about the facts and folklore that surround this fascinating and ancient species.

Buy locally-produced honey

Buying local honey helps local beekeepers to cover costs of protecting bees. Local honey is processed naturally and complies with all food standards requirements without damage to the honey. It tastes different to foreign supermarket honey and has a flavour that reflects local flora.

And finally, if you do want to become a beekeeper yourself …

Having your own hive is a wonderful way to help the honey bee. If you want to start keeping honey bees, first learn how to handle them. Keeping bees healthy and productive requires knowledge and skill. Find a taster course or offer to become a beekeepers’ buddy or apprentice to see if you want to take up the craft, and that it’s not just a rosy dream. Opening a hive of 50,000 bees isn’t for everyone. Our local associations offer introductory courses on beekeeping, hands-on advice and mentoring and our more advanced programmes allow you to become a Master Beekeeper.

Help Honey Bees
www.britishbee.org.uk