Bee decline linked to falling biodiversity

[Reinbeau]

I want to put a couple of beehives in my garden but have been frustrated because I can't find a source for the bees. I can find everything else, but no bees. At this point I'm tempted to put out a hive just to see what happens.

I'm planting wildflowers and lots of other flowers that are heavy on pollen, maybe that will entice the little critters.

Where are you located?

 

[nittygrittydirtdigger]

I'm in SE Washington.

If I don't find any bees, I'm going to go ahead and place a hive in the far corner of the garden. I'll be planting lots of marigolds, sunflowers, zinnias, dill, fennel, etc, so hope to attract them one way or the other. I have a little water feature planned for them, too. I hope they come calling.

 

[Lavender2]

I would think that putting out the hive first would be the best idea rather than bringing in strangers. The wild stock I would think would be stronger. You take a chance at getting diseased or weakened bees the other way. Also these bees would not be as familiar with the area. But then I am not an expert. :/

Expert advice though! ... It makes sense.
With the bee problems in so many areas I would certainly be inclined to do some research before relocating bees.

Great article... thanks for the update!

I have seen no bee shortage in my little corner of the world. We seem to have more ground bumble bees lately. I checked the U of M site last year and I guess we have several types that prefer the ground. They are small and not aggressive. I can work near their hole and they don't seem to mind... I just leave them their patch of weeds and they stay and work for me....

I'll admit, we don't chat often... but I did ask them to please not sting me! ... :bee

Plant flowers ... LOTSA flowers! ...row

 

[vfem]

My neighbors have a hive and in the spring the hive swarmed and ended up in a tree in our yard. We had to move them all back to the hive in their yard. It was an amazing sight!

However, I do not want to do bees. I just enjoy the benefits of having them right next door.

 

[ducks4you]

Plant flowers ... LOTSA flowers! ...row

That's right--do YOUR part to keep up the bee population!!

 

[journey11]

Plant flowers ... LOTSA flowers! ...row

That's right--do YOUR part to keep up the bee population!!

And if you must spray anything make sure you do it late in the day after the bees have gone to bed.

 

[Beekissed]

Plant some bee balm and borage..... :bee They say that the bee balm attracts bees when they swarm.

You could also register with your local extension office so they can call you if someone needs a swarm removed from their property. This is what I am doing this year. Also building my hives, rubbing them down inside with beeswax and lemongrass EO, in hopes of attracting swarms also.

 

[wifezilla]

You can also replace that grass lawn with white clover. Not a good idea if you have little kids running barefoot through the grass all the time though.
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/cloverlawn

 

[Reinbeau]

You can also replace that grass lawn with white clover. Not a good idea if you have little kids running barefoot through the grass all the time though.
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/cloverlawn

Or you could just let the clover take over - I never planted a lawn out back, it's a weedy, crab-grassy mess, some would say, but the bees love it. The white clover is winning, evengually that's all that will be out there, I think - oh, and dandelions.