What can you do?
35 UK bee species are under threat of extinction, and all species are facing a daunting future. The bees need us as much as we need them and our time to act is now, so what can we do to help our bee friends?
Put the
gun down
Bee-harming pesticides are one of the reasons for bee decline in the UK, and every gardener can do their bit! Stop using them, and encourage bug-hunters like ladybirds and hedgehogs into your garden instead.
WORRIED
ABOUT SPACE?
Bees aren’t fussy! Consider placing pots on a patio, herbs in a window box or a hanging basket wherever you please. Not only does this look great, but they don’t consume too much space.
JUST A FEW CHANGES
There are dozens of lovely flowers and shrubs you can plant to make your garden a honeybee magnet. Shrubs like cotoneaster and hebe and flowering plants like lavender, buddleia, foxgloves and fuchsias are colourful and bee-friendly.
WINTER IS COMING
With winter in full swing now is good time to be planning the spring garden bloom, to provide some rich nutrients for the honey bees when they’ll need it most! Try lilacs or lavender, the bright colour is a magnet for the honey bee.
LET IT
GROW
If you have a lawn why not give yourself a break, by allowing some of the grass to grow longer than usual, this provides shelter for the bees and allows them time to feed and rest.
JUST A FEW CHANGES
There are dozens of lovely flowers and shrubs you can plant to make your garden a honeybee magnet. Shrubs like cotoneaster and hebe and flowering plants like lavender, buddleia, foxgloves and fuchsias are colourful and bee-friendly.