Fun, easy ways to help bees this summer - In case you haven’t heard, the bees are dying, and it’s serious business—not only for their species, but for the rest of us too. Bees are responsible for about one-third of the world’s food supply, including many beloved fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Without them, food costs would soar and the environment would suffer. Click through to see some easy and fun ways to do your part in saving the bees this summer.

0 / 30 Fotos

The time is now - Over 2017-2018, about 40% of beehives in the US are said to have died unexpectedly, largely due to climate change.

1 / 30 Fotos

But there are many other threats - Those include habitat loss, pesticides, pollution, monoculture (when farmers only grow one crop at a time), and disease.

2 / 30 Fotos

A lot at risk - From apples to strawberries, coffee to chocolate, almonds to tomatoes, broccoli to asparagus—the plants we love eating need pollinators, AKA bees.

3 / 30 Fotos

First things first: de-villainize the bee! - Bees aren't dangerous! They're actually a very intelligent species that does not seek to attack humans. The better you understand them, the better you can help them.

4 / 30 Fotos

Create a garden - Whether you’re a first time gardener or a seasoned pro, planting a garden is a huge help to bees. You don't need a big backyard either, as a few pots will suffice.

5 / 30 Fotos

Plant native flowers - Native plants are generally easier to grow because they're already acclimated, plus they’re what native bees are designed to pollinate.

6 / 30 Fotos

Plant as many flowers as you can - Bees need good nutrition, and having a variety of forage (go for at least three kinds which blossom in different seasons) is a great way to provide that for them long term.

7 / 30 Fotos

Some suggestions - The Bee Conservancy suggests crocus, hyacinth, and wild lilac for spring; cosmos, echinacea, snapdragons, and foxglove for summer; and zinnias, witch hazel, and goldenrod for fall.

8 / 30 Fotos

Leave a bee bath outside - Bees need to drink water, too! Fill a plate or bucket, load it with rocks or corks for them to land on (otherwise they can drown), and lay it outside, preferably in a garden or flower bed.

9 / 30 Fotos

Worried about mosquitoes? - To deter mosquitoes, change your water at least once a week.

10 / 30 Fotos

Don’t put sugar in the water! - Contrary to popular belief, you should leave the water fresh. Sugar water can actually be detrimental, as bees do best when they drink from natural nectar sources.

11 / 30 Fotos

Avoid using pesticides in your garden - Many pesticides used today are toxic to bees, suppressing their immune system and making them vulnerable to parasites.

12 / 30 Fotos

Use natural remedies - If you must use an insecticide, go the natural route with simple components like vinegar, epsom salt, and essential oils.

13 / 30 Fotos

But really, try to avoid pesticides - Even low doses of tainted pollen/nectar can build up in a beehive over time and lead to the collapse of a whole colony.

14 / 30 Fotos

Buy local, organic produce - Supporting organic farmers' pesticide-free produce is another easy way to do your part, as you’re indirectly protecting and encouraging bee population growth.

15 / 30 Fotos

Encourage others to buy organic - Shifting money toward organic farmers increases the likelihood that more farmers will start organic farming methods themselves.

16 / 30 Fotos

Buy raw honey from local beekeepers - Store-bought honey is often processed, pasteurized, and loaded with added sugars. Do yourself (and the bees) a favor by buying the real thing.

17 / 30 Fotos

Get others to support local beekeepers - In doing so, you’re ensuring bees are being properly taken care of. Plus, raw honey is much more nutritious than store-bought honey.

18 / 30 Fotos

Build a bee hotel - One of the reasons solitary bees are dying is due to habitat loss and urbanization, so creating a space to host them can go a long way in helping rebuild the population.

19 / 30 Fotos

It doesn’t have to be fancy - It can be as simple as a coffee can fixed sideways to the fence with some reed tubes in it.

20 / 30 Fotos

Make it a fun family project - Or, get really fancy with it and craft an elaborate structure with bricks, logs with holes drilled into them, bamboo sticks, and lots of nooks and crannies.

21 / 30 Fotos

Let your lawn grow wild - Many homes take great pride in manicuring their lawns, but they’re essentially creating huge stretches of desert for bees. Consider leaving at least a section of your lawn unmowed.

22 / 30 Fotos

Put down the weed-whacker - Save yourself a chore and leave those weeds, like dandelions, be. In early spring, those “weeds” are often the only source of food for beneficial insects like bees.

23 / 30 Fotos

Get familiar with practices that rely on bees - For example, California almonds require more than half of America’s honeybees, and the current process can be very harmful for them. However, almond farming thereby also supports beekeepers.

24 / 30 Fotos

Bee informed - Since honeybee populations are supported by almond agriculture, an outright boycott would not be helpful. Instead, the focus needs to be on the way the agriculture is being carried out.

25 / 30 Fotos

The obvious: don’t kill them - If a bee gets into your house or car, don’t panic! Use safe, nonviolent methods to remove it, like catching it in a jar and releasing it back into nature.

26 / 30 Fotos

For the ambitious… - Build your own beehive! There are a variety of educational resources and even entire beehive starter kits. You’ll have raw honey, a beautifully pollinated garden, and a clear conscience.

27 / 30 Fotos

For the less ambitious… - Adopt a hive! If you aren’t able to keep a beehive yourself, sponsor another beekeeper. For an annual fee, you’ll support healthy bees, and receive delicious honey products!

28 / 30 Fotos

Get buzzing! -

The bees need all the help they can get.

Sources: (Bloomberg) (The Bee Conservancy)

29 / 30 Fotos