Native Bees

Many folks around the USA are concerned about and are watching the Honey Bees. They are wondering why they are dying off (colony collapse ) and what will pollinate their crops? Yes, Honey Bees have been our main pollinators but they are not the only pollinators around. Honey Bees didn’t make it to here until the early 1600’s, so what happened to flowers before then?

Enter Native Bees.

There are apprx. 4,000 species of Native Bees in the USA alone. They range in color from dark brown or black to metallic green or blue, some have stripes. Many have  common names that describe the way they build nests: plasterer bees, leafcutter bees, mason bees, wool carder bees, digger bees, carpenter bees.

Others are named after certain traits, such as cuckoo bees that lay eggs in the nests of other bee species (like the cuckoo bird), sweat bees that like to drink salty perspiration, or bumble bees, who got their name from the loud humming noise they make while flying.

They have been doing the job of pollination for a long time and they only need for us to be a bit more careful in our use of pesticides, chemicals fertilizers, etc. all of which harm and or kill them; including the chemicals we spray on the cut flowers and we must also include GEO products. GEO is by the way, in my opinion why bees are dying in large amounts.

We must not only provide a natural clean environment for these natives bees but we must also provide for them plants that they can pollinate as well. They do not need a bee hive because they make their own homes and are completely invisible to most humans. You would be surprised where you can find these native bees, especially around the city. City living for native bees is not an easy task since they get all types of pollution, and their homes are constantly being destroyed.

We are lucky that we live in a country environment and that we can easily provide native bees a safe place to live in. Farmers should learn how to incorporate native bees into their farming methods.. It works much better if they are organic farmers, but a conventional farmer can have native bees, they just have to not use chemicals and learn to control the conditions that cause pests and diseases.

Cities should become  leaders in Native Bees and instead of allowing folks to have just bee hives (thats ok too) they should encourage folks to plant more flowers plants and host plants so that it encourages native bees to stay in our beautiful Malibu. You can actually have both European Honey Bees (we do so love Honey!) as well as Native Bees. Both can live together  without any problems. The native bees do not need you to do anything special, just make sure you have enough variety of flowers for them, and do not use any chemicals at all. Native Bees are perfect for vegetable gardens as well as for fruit trees. They will happily live off what ever water source is available for them. They love the fog, since that is a great source of water for them, too. They usually do not sing or bite so that is another plus. Next time you see a Big  Fuzzy Black and Yellow  California Bumblebee , leave it alone and watch it work its magic. Even better if you see more then one, that means your place has been found to be good for them! You are Lucky!

Andy Lopez

Invisible Gardener

Any questions? Email me andy@invisiblegardener.com