Beekeeping has become much more popular in recent years and Beehives can be seen in suburban and country gardens, and even in show gardens...
Bumblebees are social animals. They live in colonies of up to 200 worker bees. Bumblebees are not aggressive and will not sting unless they feel threatened. Bumblebees are important pollinators and so it is worth making them at home in your garden.
Honey bees are under threat from viruses. Nearly all wild honeybee colonies have died out and so it is increasingly important to care for bees. Beekeeping is a fun and interesting hobby - plus you get to eat the honey! If you are interested in taking up beekeeping, visit the British Beekeepers Association website.
If you are not keen to keep your own bees, you can help the conservation of honey bees by buying local honey - as this helps to cover the beekeepers costs.
Mason bees are solitary bees. They do not produce honey, and because they have no honey to protect, they are not aggressive and will not sting unless stepped on. Mason bees are important spring pollinators, especially for fruit trees. Mason bees often live in holes in the ground, although you can create a habitat for them in your garden by drilling holes in wood or buying a bee habitat from a garden shop.
This Pollinating bee log is a great way to attract bees to your garden. It provide a habitat for all sorts of bees including mason bees - and it makes a lovely garden design feature too!
Good plants for a bumble bee garden include sunflowers, foxgloves and alliums. Many of the daisy shaped flowers such as asters and echinacea are favourites with bees, as are willow and lime trees.
Butterfly plants | Garden wildlife | Bird boxes + nests | Plants for birds | Beekeeping | Ladybirds
