Why Bees Are So Vital And What We Can Do to Prevent Them From Going Extinct

Aug 07, 2019 by apost team

You might have seen the news over the past few years -- bees are dying out. The total number of bees around the world has dropped to dangerous levels. Why is this so bad? According to scientists, we need bees to survive on this planet.

Bees don't just pollinate flowers, but also the fruits and vegetables that humans survive on. Scientists estimate that nearly a third of the crops we depend on for sustenance rely on bees for pollination. If you like cucumbers, peaches, cherries, blueberries, or avocados, you should be concerned. According to Worldatlas, these are just a few of the food crops that are at risk if bees cannot pollinate them.

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Do you enjoy a good cup of coffee? Then you should definitely start to worry. It's not just fruits and vegetables that benefit from bees. We also need these amazing insects to pollinate cotton, alfalfa, and even the plant that produces coffee. Many other animals, like cows, eat plants that require bee pollination. Without bees, the entire food chain gets disrupted. The Honey Bee Center claims an estimated one-third of crops globally are reliant on pollination by bees. 

According to the World Bee Project, cross-pollination is a natural way for plants to spread and for the ecosystem to stay balanced. When bees pollinate flowers, they help to maintain and create genetic diversity in the environment. Less human intervention is necessary. Without them, many types of flowers would die out, making the world a less interesting and beautiful place.

The British Beekeepers Association estimated that bees contribute to around $185 million in the UK alone each year.  The Mazatlan Post stated that The National Autonomous University of Mexico, a public research university, estimates the value at more than 63 million pesos in Mexico. With crops being a vital necessity for humans, it is only natural that economies will suffer as a result of their loss. 

This reason might not be world-shaking, but bees are fascinating insects. Honeybees, for example, organize themselves into defined roles, and each bee has a job to do. They live in colonies, or hives, that can have as many as 80,000 bees in them. The bees form ranks, and each rank has a specific task that it does to keep the hive healthy and productive.

There are builders that create honeycombs. There are honey bees that get pollen and nectar. Some bees guard the hive while others protect it. They have their own organized societies, and it's fascinating.

Without bees, we'd have no wildflowers. We'd have fewer flowers overall, and the flowers we did have wouldn't be as healthy or diverse. Many types would die out altogether, taking their beauty with them. The colors and even smells that these flowers add to the environment would be forever lost. Dr. George McGavin claims that bees are necessary for the survival of nearly 250,000 species of flowers and plants, as per the Oxford Times. This makes them incredibly important.

Honey tastes fantastic. It's also good for you. The health and beauty benefits of honey go back ages, all the way to ancient Egypt. Apart from being a natural sweetener, honey has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can soothe sore throats and coughs, improve cholesterol and even help lower blood pressure, as per Healthline.  

Each and every one of us can do something to protect the bees in our environment. If we want to save the bees, we all need to contribute a little. Some things are simple and even fun, like planting flowers. The Honeybee Conservancy suggests planting flowers that are native to your area and that attract bees. This includes catmint, sunflowers, marigolds, lavender, crocuses, and heliotrope. By doing this, you won't just be helping the bees. You'll also create a beautiful oasis in your backyard -- or on your balcony if that's where you set out your flowers! We can also stop using harsh pesticides and insecticides. Instead, use natural repellants like garlic, Epsom salt, or castile soap. 

Many pesticides and things like mosquito repellents destroy a bee's central nervous system. This prevents them from returning to their colonies, which eventually causes the colonies to collapse. Remember, each bee has an important responsibility in their society. If the bees don't return, that role goes unfulfilled.

In some cases, the bee manages to return to the colony, but the pesticide that affects that bee infects and destroys the entire colony. You can also help by eating organic products and supporting local organic farmers. If you see bees in your yard, let them go about their business.

Try not to step on them or otherwise drive them away. Facebook pages like "Bee Active Now"  and other activist groups constantly inform about simple and easy ways, each and every one of us can help all over the world.

Remember, we need bees. They're necessary for the food we eat and for the beauty in our environment. Let's help them to survive!
What do you think? Do you know of any other ways to help bees to survive and thrive? If so, tell us in the comments and pass this article on to create awareness on this important topic!