Bee populations across North America have declined for several years, causing experts to raise the alarm about the future of the world food supply. Whether it’s commercial honey bees or bumblebees in the wild, several environmental and weather factors are causing a concerning drop in populations.
What’s happening to the bees?
In 2022, beekeepers in Kitchener, Ontario, reported a devastating loss to bee colonies due to a tiny parasite called the varroa mite. Last year’s early spring in Ontario meant the mites went through several reproductive cycles, feeding on the bees’ blood and protein reserves and spreading viruses throughout the colonies. Warmer winters and earlier spring seasons mean Varroa mites will continue to pose a real threat to commercial beekeepers. The University of Guelph Honey Bee Research Centre is testing natural methods to control the mites without harming the bees, but research is ongoing.
Researchers at the University of Ottawa published a study in 2020 in the journal Science noting that bumblebee populations in North America and Europe have declined 46 and 17 percent, respectively, due to extreme temperature fluctuations. The research found that regions with the most drastic bee declines also experience worse heat waves and substantial variations in climate.
Why are bees important to our ecosystem?
Colonized honey bees play a crucial role in Ontario’s agricultural sector, prompting Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to work with beekeepers to maintain the health and viability of honey bees. Research, education and outreach, along with inspection monitoring programs provided by government initiatives, can help address the commercial honey bee sector.
Wild bees, on the other hand, are critical to maintaining natural habitats. Pollination creates plants that create food and shelter for wildlife, produce fuel and biomass, moderate temperature, and deliver oxygen. In Canada, bees are the most common pollinators, but we also rely heavily on butterflies, moths, wasps, flies, beetles, and hummingbirds. As homeowners, there’s much we can do around our homes to help protect wild bees, bumblebees, and other pollinating insects and birds.
Create your bee-friendly (pollinator-friendly) garden
We can all help attract bees and other pollinating insects and birds to our gardens by following a few simple steps:
• Plant clumps of Ontario native flowering plants at different heights in your existing garden. Native plants are four times more likely to be visited by pollinators.
• Group single species of plants together, so collecting pollen or nectar is more efficient for pollinators.
• If space is limited, plant a window box or container garden of pollinator-friendly herbs or use plants of varying heights, such as wildflowers, flowering vines, and potted shrubs. Oregano and thyme planted around potted shrubs or trees act as food for pollinators and provide shelter for bees.
• Choose bright-coloured and fragrant flowers that bloom at different times from spring to fall, creating many opportunities for pollinators throughout the season.
• Make a bee bath by filling a bowl with large rocks and shallow water.
• Eliminate the use of pesticides, including pollinator-friendly plants treated with systemic pesticides. Ask your local nursery if their plants are pesticide-free.
• Leave mulch-free space around your garden for ground-nesting bees.
• Build a bee hotel by filling a wooden box with dried hollow stems from old flower stalks or bamboo canes. Holes should vary in diameter between 2mm and 10mm. Place your bee hotel in a sunny spot (ideally morning sun) and take it down every autumn. Store it in a cool, dry location for the winter.
With some effort and research about native plants in our area, we can all help provide a healthier environment for bees and pollinators while enjoying a more colourful and exciting garden.
By Julie Achtermeier
