You may have seen a bee out and about recently, or maybe you were stung, but you probably haven’t thought about bees since. While you may not believe honeybees affect your daily routine, your life would actually look drastically different without them; unfortunately, the bee population has declined over the past several years. Consider the importance of honeybees in agriculture to gain a deeper understanding of the bee world.
The Honeybee Decline
In the 1940s, there were nearly 6 million bee colonies in the world. However, the population has declined gradually. Today, there are about 2.5 million colonies—this may still seem like a lot, but that is a significant decrease. This decline is most likely related to higher rates of pesticide use, pests and diseases, and other complex issues. Still, the overall cause of lower honeybee numbers is somewhat of a mystery.
The Agricultural Importance of Bees
You may already know honeybees are one of the world’s most prominent pollinators, but you may not realize the impact it could have on your life if bees go extinct. Believe it or not, some commercial farmers rent bee colonies from beekeepers to encourage greater pollination of their crops. Take a closer look at bees’ agricultural importance.
They’re The Best Pollinators
Most worker bees spend their lives collecting nectar and pollen for honey-making, meaning they are incredible pollinators. Interestingly, the typical worker bee can visit up to 5,000 plants or flowers in a single day; therefore, they pollinate thousands upon thousands of plants, crops, and flowers in their lifetime. In fact, bees help pollinate a third of all crops, whether directly or indirectly.
Some Foods Wouldn’t Exist Without Them
Bees are responsible for pollination and, therefore, the existence of many different fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Almonds, apples, blueberries, avocados, cucumbers, and so many more wouldn’t exist without honeybees.
Our Responsibility To Preserve Honeybee Populations
Because honeybees are responsible for most of the food we eat, we should be grateful for their existence. Without bees, our lives would look a lot different; it would mean less fresh food, available meat, and cotton-based clothing. With that in mind, we should do everything we can to protect the honeybee population. While beekeeping isn’t for everyone, it’s an excellent way to show your support and boost your local bee numbers.
Now that you know the importance of honeybees in agriculture, you may be looking for honeybee nucs for sale, along with the best beekeeping practices. Visit The B Farm online for bees, necessary supplies, and the best advice and beekeeping methods.