Firstly, sorry for the terrible title. I got told it was terrible but I just couldn’t resist using it.
Before getting into detail I want to state that I did research online and read articles about this topic. I am not an expert. I am not claiming to be an expert. I understand people know more and my interest in Bees is both for environmental reasons and just a general interest. If the statistics and research I have done has led me down the garden path and given me false information leading to false conclusions then I apologise but know that my interest in Bees still remains…regardless. I’m pursuing an interest in something that has sparked my curiosity.
So, now the disclaimer is sorted, let’s get going. As some of you know I’m moving into the world of bees, beehives and honey and the three come together. I’m getting a beehive and looking to develop some Millen-Gordon honey (that isn’t a euphemism for anything). We have neighbours who have beehives and this has been something I’ve thought about for a while and decided finally to take the plunge.
From an environmental and nutritional standpoint we need more bees and the total number of bees seems to be in decline. Nearly 1 in 10 of Europe’s wild bee species is facing extinction and according to The Independent (2018) ⅓ of the Bee population has disappeared in the past decade.
So why is this a problem, “If the bee disappeared off the face of the earth, man would only have four years left to live”. I couldn’t find who this quote is attributed to as some said it was Einstein and others say it wasn’t but regardless it grabs your attention. According to a University of Reading study that the Telegraph discussed in 2015, more than ¾ of the UK apple crop and 45% of the strawberry crop relies on bees. Bees pollinate ⅓ food crops and 90% of wild plants (Independent 2018). Putting this simply, we need Bees for food!
So why are bee numbers declining. Friends of the Earth says there are four reasons 1/ Habitat loss 2/ Climate Change 3/ toxic pesticides 4/disease. Now whilst I’m not changing any of these four causes by getting a beehive I think the introduction of bees can be looked at in a general sense as a good thing. I’m not looking to preach here and tell others to do the same or start signing petitions about bees. I just wanted to highlight where my interest and this latest hobby has come from.
This is the start of my journey and more posts on the subject will follow, where I got my hive ( David Beckham has just picked one up from the same place as a little hint ), how they are set-up, what’s involved ect.. so stay tuned!
In the meantime, take care and stay safe.
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