Bee      Wise Facts        

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Help us promote the wellbee-ing of Maresfield and beyond

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Changes to land use at the end of the Second World War began the erosion of natural habitats for wild bees. Climate change and pesticides have also had an adverse effect. Their populations have been in decline, with two species of bumblebee completely lost since the 1940’s. A further third of the remaining 24 species in the UK are listed as being of ‘conservation concern’.

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Why is the decline of bees a concern?

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A third of our food involves pollination from bees, in particular tomatoes, soft fruits and beans are reliant on bumblebees. Without wild bees and a diversity of species, the landscape of our countryside and gardens would change.

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How you can help our bees survive

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• Bee-friendly flowers provide nectar for wild bee varieties. Bees are most attracted to purple, blue and yellow e.g. lavender, California lilac, crocuses, sunflower, verbena, buddleia and foxgloves. Check out the Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s Bee Kind Flower Finder to see how bee friendly your garden is!

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https://beekinde.bumblebeeconservation.org/home

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• Bees love herbs like basil, mint, sage and coriander.  

     Even if you don’t have room for a flower garden, some herb pots can help.

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• Rather than use pesticides, try inter-planting with marigolds, lavender, lemongrass and garlic which are natural pesticides.

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• Build a bee habitat by stacking a log pile or dead branches in a quiet spot of the garden, leave some of your lawn unmown or create a wildflower patch.

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• Become a bee keeper and learn how to keep your own hive as honey bees are pollinators too as well as giving you your own honey.

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