I’ve been stepping up my efforts to make the garden more bee friendly, and it’s still declining.
I’ve maybe seen 20 bumbles this year, it’s very sad :(
Interestingly, I haven’t really been paying much attention this year, but last year I saw more flying insects than I have in an age. It gave me a quantum of solace.
One of the biggest impacts you can have on saving bee biodiversity is to, ironically, not buy honey. Far and away the biggest source of store-bought honey in the US is European honeybees (Apis mellifera), an invasive species introduced to North America in the 1600s. They outcompete native bee species and destroy biodiversity so the honey industry can turn a profit.
Well, I can’t speak for everyone, but maybe all of the wasps decided to come to my house instead… they’re in my damn roof, the bricks, the garage… but hey at least they’re pollinators?
It’s hard to say, sampling error, or what, but it sure seems I have less bees of all types in the garden this year. I’m concerned.
I’ve been stepping up my efforts to make the garden more bee friendly, and it’s still declining.
I’ve maybe seen 20 bumbles this year, it’s very sad :(
Same here.
Interestingly, I haven’t really been paying much attention this year, but last year I saw more flying insects than I have in an age. It gave me a quantum of solace.
One of the biggest impacts you can have on saving bee biodiversity is to, ironically, not buy honey. Far and away the biggest source of store-bought honey in the US is European honeybees (Apis mellifera), an invasive species introduced to North America in the 1600s. They outcompete native bee species and destroy biodiversity so the honey industry can turn a profit.
Insect populations are declining.
As a motorbike rider in the UK I get much less “bug splat” on my visor now than I did 25 years ago.
I don’t remember if it was a video or an article, but the title went like, “It’s not just you, bees are disappearing.”
I don’t think you’re seeing things, unfortunately.
Well, I can’t speak for everyone, but maybe all of the wasps decided to come to my house instead… they’re in my damn roof, the bricks, the garage… but hey at least they’re pollinators?