Instead of sugar water, offer clean, fresh water with safe landing spots.
How to do it:
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A shallow dish with pebbles or marbles (bees can stand on them while drinking)
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A birdbath with sloping sides
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A dripping faucet or fountain
Keep it clean – Change water every few days to prevent mosquito breeding.
3. Stop Using Pesticides
Neonicotinoids and other systemic pesticides are devastating to bees. Even “bee-safe” pesticides can harm them when used improperly.
What to do:
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Avoid spraying flowers when bees are active
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Use organic pest control methods
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Accept some pest damage—it’s better than killing pollinators
4. Leave Bare Ground
70% of native bees nest in the ground. Leave patches of bare, undisturbed soil for them to burrow.
5. Provide Bee Houses
Solitary bees (mason bees, leafcutter bees) nest in hollow stems or drilled wood blocks. Hang a bee house in a sunny, sheltered spot.
6. Support Local Beekeepers
Buy local honey. Join a beekeeping club. Learn about bee health. Your support helps maintain healthy pollinator populations.
7. Spread Awareness, Not Misinformation
Share accurate information about bee conservation. Correct the “sugar water myth” when you see it.
What to Do If You Find a Tired Bee
Step 1: Observe. Is it moving? Is it cold outside?
Step 2: If it’s cold, gently move it to a sunny flower.
Step 3: If it’s not moving after a few minutes, offer a single drop of 1:4 sugar water on a spoon. Do not leave the spoon unattended.
Step 4: Once the bee revives, it will fly away on its own.
Remember: This is for an individual bee, not a communal feeder. Remove the spoon after the bee leaves.
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