© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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. 

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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

© Shutterstock

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

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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!

© Shutterstock

Get buzzing! -

The bees need all the help they can get.

Sources: (Bloomberg) (The Bee Conservancy)

See also: Beautiful wildlife driven to extinction

© Shutterstock