There’s almost nothing mightier than the tiny bee when it comes to keeping our planet healthy. Bees are a vital part of our ecosystem, pollinating our food and the trees, plants, and flowers that wildlife depends on. A single honeybee, or Apis mellifera, can pollinate an incredible 2,000 flowers in a day and collect 0.5g of nectar. Without them, we would struggle to survive.
Unfortunately, bee numbers are dropping drastically in the face of threats like:
- A loss of habitat due to invasive farming and urban developments
- The use of toxic pesticides harmful to bees
- The extreme weather brought by climate change, which can harm bee nesting behavior and change seasonal timings
- Parasites, diseases, and invasive species
How you can help bees
We can each play our part in helping nearby bees.
- Plant some bee-friendly flowers
- Make or buy a bee shelter for them to hibernate and nest in
- Revive a tired bee with sugar water
- Avoid using pesticides in your own garden
Incredible inventions
Cutting-edge technology is increasingly being used to help our ailing bee population. Beewise, an artificial-intelligence powered hive, uses precision robotics, computer vision and artificial intelligence to monitor and manage the health of the hive. Similarly, Apis Protect uses internet of things tech to gather actionable hive data and improve colony health.
Our hard-working winged friends aren’t just lovely to watch as they buzz from flower to flower – they play a critical role in keeping us all safe and healthy.