Bees are, arguably, the hardest workers in our ecosystem. They fulfill the important job of pollination, which allows for the reproduction of crops. A single bee can pollinate over 2,000 plants in a single day, which amounts to 300 million plants pollinated each day by just one colony.  Greenpeace reports that bees are responsible for the pollination of seventy out of the world’s top one-hundred crops, which amounts to 90% of human nutrition. Bees will continue to work non-stop for most of their short lives, hardly stopping for a chance to smell the flowers they pollinate.

With this in mind, bees are, perhaps, the organisms most deserving of a relaxing retirement, and this floral company has made it possible. Flying Flowers, a UK-based flower store, has launched “bee-tirement homes” to raise awareness for the vital role of bee populations. Designed like a dollhouse, these homes feature miniature bedrooms, bathrooms, and even libraries with “pollen stories”. They also have outdoor recreational areas with blooming flowers and a sugar water fountain. 

In addition to retirement homes for bees, Flying Flowers has also created hotels for solitary bees. Unlike other bee species, which form hives, solitary bees live and work alone. They pollinate 120 times as much flora as honeybees, but the loss of wildflowers has made it difficult for them to find homes in nature. That’s where Flying Flowers comes in: their hotels provide a place for solitary bees to rest while fulfilling their important role in the ecosystem.

Advocating for bees, like Flying Flowers is doing, is more important today than ever. Bee numbers have been rapidly decreasing for decades now: in 1947, there were around 6 million beehives in the US, but they have fallen by 60% to only 2.4 million in 2008. Since 2006, honey bee colony loss rates have averaged 30% each year (historical rates were 10-15%). 

Although there are several reasons for this drastic loss in bees, most are ultimately the fault of humans. Increased urbanization has led to bees losing their natural habitats. Usage of chemical pesticides has infected and killed millions of bees. Climate change has increased the intensity of weather, disrupting bee behavior. Introduction of invasive species has caused bee habitats to be overrun. All of these factors, and more, have played a role in the massive decline of bee populations. 

However, it is still possible for us to reverse the consequences of our actions and prevent the irreversible loss of bees. We can start by banning all neonicotinoid pesticides (which are most harmful to bees), like the European Union has already done. Even without a total ban, we can reduce our usage of chemical pesticides, which cause harm in ways not limited to bees. There are numerous natural pesticides that can be used instead, allowing us to protect gardens without harming the earth. We can also work towards finding a solution for climate change and preventing global warming from worsening. 

These may seem like daunting tasks, but many can be accomplished at your own home. Planting more native crops, or any bee-attracting flowers, is a great way to provide bees with natural habitats to live and work in. You can use more renewable energy to do your part in stopping global warming. You can set up a small pool or fountain in your backyard to function as a bee bath, allowing bees to stay hydrated. You can even buy (or build!) your own bee hotel from Flying Flowers (link provided below). 

Bee species are disappearing faster than ever, and if we don’t act now, we may lose these extraordinary creatures forever. 

Flying Flowers Bee Homes: https://shopping.rspb.org.uk/wildlife-friendly-garden/wildlife-by-species/bees-butterflies-bugs/

 

written by Srisha Nannapaneni

Posted by Srinidhi Raghavan

 

References:

EU agrees total ban on bee-harming pesticides. (2018, April 27). The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/27/eu-agrees-total-ban-on-bee-harming-pesticides

The first ever bumblebee retirement home. (n.d.). Flying Flowers. https://www.flyingflowers.co.uk/page/bumblebee-retirement-home

Flying flowers built the world’s first bee-tirement home. (2021, November 9). Inhabitat – Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building. https://inhabitat.com/flying-flowers-built-the-worlds-first-bee-tirement-home/

Philipp, J. (2022, March 23). Bumblebee retirement home helps fight poverty. The Borgen Project. https://borgenproject.org/bumblebee-retirement-home/

Save the bees. (2015, June 26). Greenpeace USA. https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/sustainable-agriculture/save-the-bees/

Tiny retirement home for bees launches in the UK for a very good reason. (2021, September 29). Country Living. https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/a37783084/bee-retirement-home-launches/

We need bees. (n.d.). Planet Bee Foundation. https://www.planetbee.org/why-we-need-bees

Why bees are essential to people and planet. (2022, May 20). UNEP. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/why-bees-are-essential-people-and-planet