Buzzing Facts: Amazing Bees

Bees play a critical role in our world. Our agriculture depends greatly on bees. 80% of insect pollination is done by honeybees and without them there would be a significant decrease in fruits and vegetables. 30% of the worlds crops and 90% of plants depend on bees to cross-pollinate so that they can survive.

The honey bee is the only insect that produces food that is eaten by humans. Depending on the nectar source, the colors and flavors of honey vary. Honey has antibacterial qualities and is a wonderful thing to incorporate into your diet. It boosts your immune system and helps greatly with allergies.

Bees make honey from the flowering trees and plants that they collect from. To build their beehives bees secret beeswax from their glands. The honeycombs are collected by humans and are used in drugs, cosmetics, artists' materials, and candles.

Unfortunately, the bee population is declining.

The seasons aren't starting off well for the bees. Due to climate change flowers are blooming either too late or too early leaving bees with few food sources. They are also suffering greatly from habitat losses due to human development, abandoned farms, and harmful pesticides.

Bees are more than just a honey source. They help to pollinate the food sources that we depend on. Without bees the world would survive on a dulled down diet. We wouldn't have half the fruits or vegetables we have now. If the bees were to disappear you could say good by to pumpkins, cantaloupe, broccoli, cucumbers, blueberries, apples, and much more. Our livestock used for meat production would also be out of food. Bees also pollinate important crops used for non-food items as well such as cotton and flax.

So, how can we help these little guys out?

Adding natural habitats for bees in farm areas and gardens will help attract more pollinators. Making sure that you plant the right things will also help to bring in the bees. Helping to bring awareness to the decline of bees will also be a great way to bring about change. With all of these things hopefully we can keep these little guys going.

As some of the hardest working creatures on the plant, bees should be taken better care of. Without them our world would be an entirely different place. We owe them our thanks and appreciation for the hardwork they put in.