Did you know...Honey bees are the only insects that produce food eaten by man.
The honey bee or Apis mellifera was brought to the United States from Europe by the early settlers. Since the arrival of the honey bee to North America the honey bee has become our most important managed pollinator.
Honey bees pollinate one third of all the food we eat, from almonds to watermelon and everything in-between. The honey bee also pollinates livestock forages including alfalfa and clover.
Unfortunately, honey bees are having a hard time surviving due to a condition called Colony Collapse Disorder or CCD.
How you can help...start by planting flowers that attract bees which will supply honey bees with food, provide a shallow pan of water for the honey bees to drink from, a temporary shelter such as a large bush in case honey bees get caught in the rain or wind, and sunning spots such as a rock where honey bees can warm themselves are all important things you can do to help improve the strength of the honeybee population. Also, eliminate or limit the use of insecticides.
Albert Einstein once said, "If the honey bee becomes extinct, mankind will follow within four years".
|