Let's Talk about Bumblebees, What They Do For Our Food Supply and food plants

Native to the US, bumblebees are one of the major pollinators who work so hard to produce our food supply. They pollinate both wildflowers and food crops. They can be found on the alfalfa field, almond trees, and pumpkin patches etc. In the Central Valley of California, we can see bumblebees on most of these food plants: Nectarines, blueberries, strawberries, peppers, tomatoes etc. The truth is that their lack of communication with their peers make them fertilize our plants more efficiently than the non-native European honeybees. Bumblebees can forage in cold weather without freezing. They are warm-blooded insects.

So what can we do to make sure they survive? What can farmers do on their own land? What can homeowners do for these hard-working insects?

Homeowners as well as farmers can plant flowers that attract them. In order to work on the fruits and vegetables we depend on, they will need to be strong and healthy. Do not use pesticides which can kill them. Farmers can reserve a portion of their land to plant wildflowers such lavender, clover, dandelions etc. In the spring, they can plant these varieties: Lilacs, penstemon, sage, lavender, verbena, and wisteria. In the Summer, they can plant mint, cosmos, squash, tomotoes, pumpkins, sunflowers, oregano, rosemary, poppies, black-eyed Susan, passion flower vine, honeysuckle. In the Fall, they can plant fuschia, mont, bush sunflower, sage, verbena, toadflax etc. If you are a homeowner, be careful about what type of chemicals you put on your lawn. On most occasions, your gardener may be the one to apply the pesticides. Make sure you talk to him and find out what he is using on your lawn. You do not want the gardener to use any chemicals or pest treatments on your lawn that will cause damage to the honeybees systems. What usually happens is that by using these chemicals when the flowers are in bloom can be dangerous and fatal in that they will get into the pollen and nectar. Guess what? the bees will take them back to their hives. That means other bees including the queen may be affected. These chemicals or pesticides can get into the honey which we enjoy consuming. Everything we do is part of this cycle.

Advocate for the bees! Stop buying neon-nicotinoids or neonics that will kill bees!