Looking after Bees in the Heat

Bees are a vital link in food chains and an integral part of a healthy, happy garden. Like us, bees need a place to live, a source of food and water for survival. If we can help fill these needs, we will go a long way in ensuring their continuity and ongoing wellbeing. 
 
There are things we can all do to encourage these little legends to the garden and keep them happy: 

• Create a bee-friendly habitat - bees may be losing habitat all around the world, but you can help by simply planting flowers in your garden or in pots. Plant species that bees love - there are many plants that bees particularly love and will encourage many more to your garden. 

• Leave out some water - bees get thirsty when it's dry. Fill a bowl or birdbath with water and place a rock, small log or pebbles for the bees to land on to get a drink. 

• Go a little wild - we’re taught to hate weeds, but many weeds can be great sources of food for bees, for example, clover and dandelions, so let your garden grow a little wild now and again. If you have a lawn let some of it grow longer, mowing less often and less closely will help give pollinators places to feed and shelter among the grass. You can also provide habitat with a small woodpile or leave some ground alone in summer as some bees like to create nests in undisturbed soil. 

Let your vegies bolt  not only does it help the bees but they will pollinate your vegetables and allow them to seed to collect and save. 

Avoid chemicals in the garden - bees are sensitive to many chemicals, so do your research before using them or, better still, try to come up with chemical-free solutions. 

Get to know your local native bees so that you can offer suitable accommodation. You can install a solitary bee house to house different species of native bees. 

Create a bee hotel - a bundle of hollow bamboo canes, pinecones, wood pieces drilled with various sized holes, can all make a lovely home for solitary bees. Some bee species will also happily live in bird boxes or upturned plant pots (with holes) located in a secure, shady area. 
 
Looking after our bees is important not only for the benefit of our own gardens but also for our planet. We must do what we can to look after them.