As we celebrate all things ‘bee’ at Winterbourne this summer here are some fun facts and how to help the bees in your garden.

Did you know?

• There are over 20,000 species of bees worldwide
• The queen bee lays up to 2,000 eggs every single day
• Male (drone bees) do not have a sting
• Worker bees, collecting the pollen, guarding the nest/hive and keeping it clean, are all female
• Only honeybees make and store vast amounts of honey to feed on during the colder months
• A worker bee can fly at a speed of up to 20 miles per hour!

Bees in danger…

Climate change is putting bees at risk. 25% of species have disappeared in recent decades and 65% face potential loss of their geographical habitats as global temperatures rise. This summer has been particularly tough on furry bumblebees, who can’t fly once their body temperatures reach 32°C. Drought conditions cause flowers to dry and produce less nectar, so less food is available, according to the Royal Horticulture Society.

You can help your local bees in several ways:

• Plant native, nectar-rich flowers like lavender, foxglove and wild marjoram
• Mix your plant varieties to ensure year-round blooms so they can feed from spring through to early autumn
• Create bee hotels – you can buy pre-made structures or create one from hollow tubes or bamboo
• Build shallow bee baths – water bowls filled with pebbles so bees can land safely and drink without drowning
• Leave wild corners in the garden, with bare soil, dead wood and tall grass for the ground nesting species
• Don’t use pesticides – they disrupt bees’ nervous systems and ability to navigate