It’s National Pollinator Appreciation Week
so we are celebrating bees!
Did you know there are over 4,000 species of bees in the United States?
In addition to being fuzzy and totally adorable, bees are an important part of our world. They pollinate our gardens, and through that pollination are responsible for 1/3 of the world’s food production. This agricultural industry employees millions of people around the globe.
Bees also produce delicious honey. Certain kinds of honey even have wound healing properties and are used in the medical industry.
Gentle beauties, honeybees and bumblebees are very unlikely to sting us. They are peaceful insects that only sting as a last resort when their hives are threatened or they are truly provoked. They avoid stinging when just out and about, because once they sting they die.
Bees Need Our Help!
A world without bees would be much less sweet and these fuzzy pollinators need our help to survive. Climate change, loss of habitat and pesticides have taken a massive toll on the world’s bee population.
Bees need nectar from plants to survive. Planting a bee friendly garden, or even just a few pot’s full of pretty and fragrant plants can give these adorable little critters a much-needed boost.
Plants such as mint, zinnia, rosemary, globe thistle, bachelor’s buttons, and lemon balm are all pet safe choices bees and butterflies love.
For a full list of pet safe plants, check out the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic plant list.
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants
Now get out there, help the bees, help our planet and create a beautiful space you and your pets will love!
Sources:
https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/bees.shtml
https://www.worldbeeday.org/en/about/the-importance-of-bees.html
https://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com/tips_lists/bee-friendly-plants.html