WHY THE BEE EFFECT
We are currently midway in a decade targeted with doubling our hive numbers to deliver in tandem on pollination demands, as demand for food resources increase. Specifically those pollinated by honey bees.
With the impact of droughts and fires over this period, particularly in the Western Cape, we have been unable to increase hive numbers, rather, we have lost more.
This leaves an ever critical scenario of focused activity to support the apiary industry, and maintain the contribution that the honey bee makes to our rich biodiversity corridors.
With this in mind, two direct areas need immediate address, how do we halt the decline in honey bee numbers, and how do we increase our honey bee population.
Bad honey bee nutrition is one of the main contributors to a decline in their numbers.
Nutrition quality also impacts on healthy pollination performance. Good nutrition requires a good diverse diet in flora.
Helpful honey bee hint for gardeners: plant and grow mindful of the season when there is a shortage of forage for honey bees in your area.