Bees and other pollinators are an essential part of our ecosystem, recently estimated to be worth over £650 million per year to the UK economy. Almost all plants and trees, including all the vegetables and fruits we eat, rely on bees and other insects to pollinate them. Honeybees are a key part of the British ecosystem and without the tireless work of our little buzzing friends, over a third of everything we eat would disappear from our tables!
Globally, the lives of our bees are severely under threat. There’s the deadly mite called Varroa imported accidentally from Asia, the loss of natural habitat, a lack of forage from declining wildflower meadows, and a toxic cocktail of pesticides and fungicides used widely in crop production. Just as these tiny insects have a vital role to play in the sustainability of humanity, we all have a role to play in their survival and the sustainability of their environment.
What can you do to help protect our bees?
Here are our Top 5 bee care tips:
1. If you come across a bee on the ground, be careful not to step on it!
2. Buy British. The majority of our honey here in the UK is imported, but with the wealth of bee keepers on our doorstep there is really no need. Support your local bee keeper by visiting a near-by farm shop or deli and enjoy their precious produce for breakfast on some warm buttered toast – yum!
3. Plant seedballs. We send you these with every Bee Good order placed on beegood.co.uk – it couldn’t be easier! Simply scatter these seed balls containing wildflower seeds, clay, compost & chilli powder in your garden to create hundreds of attractive, bee-friendly blooms.
4. Build a bee hotel. Did you know that bees need somewhere to rest when they venture out on their pollen mission? Get the kids involved and get building! Find out more at: www.foe.co.uk.
5. Adopt a bee! If you want to help the honeybees but don’t have the space or time, you can adopt a colony for as little as £25 per month. This includes a certificate, e-mail updates and you can even get a plaque with your name on the side of the hive. Find out more at: www.barnesandwebb.com.
Bee Good Skincare
Inspired by an expert beekeeper and based in rural Hampshire, Bee Good harnesses the powers of precious products from British beehives to create an award-winning range of hard- working yet luxurious skincare must-haves. This edited range delivers effective, easy to use products for all ages and skin types, giving you time back for other things.
With every purchase you support young British beekeepers as they protect our precious bees. Since launching in summer 2014, the range has created a real buzz in the beauty industry; winning several beauty industry awards and launching in over 100 Waitrose stores nationwide. “Bee Good – award-winning British skincare with a conscience.”
As a company focused around the best of British skincare, Bee Good are dedicated to supporting those that provide them with the raw materials used in their products such as honey, beeswax and propolis, as well as pollinating many of the British botanicals that go into their award-winning product range. Bee Good are passionate supporters of both the British Beekeeping Association and the Bee Farmers Association who represent and work to secure the future of British Bee Farming.
With nearly 400 members, the Bee Farmers Association is the largest contract pollinator in the UK and is responsible for the majority of the UK honey sold in bulk to honey packers and large retailers. Launched in 2013, the Bee Farmers Association runs a successful apprenticeship scheme in partnership with Rowse honey that aims to bring young people into bee farming. The £1.2million scheme is a unique collaboration between major sponsor Rowse and the BFA, along with the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers, the Livery Companies Skills Council, DEFRA, City and Guilds and BJ Sherriff.