Bees knees

Bees around the world are having a hard time. There's a great deal about their problems on the internet and this site gives a pretty clear picture of how we're doing in Britain. Unlike the irritating (and downright peverse) wasp, bees rarely attack humans or sting them. In fact, as the bee's sting tends to remain in human skin, the bee will often fatally injure itself as it tries to tear free, and may thus die later. Although they're not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of adjectives like 'fluffy' and 'cuddly', actually working with them is a revelation. Many of our more positive metaphors derive from apiarists; 'busy as a bee', 'hive of industry' and so on. But bees are becoming vulnerable to CCD - Colony Collapse Disorder. The cause isn't entirely understood, although the Varroa mite is the likely culprit in the UK.

If the bees give up their day jobs, and that haunting possibility is starting to rear its head, then we'll be a lot worse off. In fact, food production generally will suffer. If you're reading this and wondering what on earth we can do, there are actually quite a number of things. First off, ensure your garden has lots of flowers for the whole summer. That attracts bees, which in turn feeds hives to make them healthier. Secondly, teach the young not to be scared of bees. Those who kill bees as a pest are being remarkably short sighted. Left alone, most bees don't want to know about humans; they're far too busy providing for their extended family. Thirdly, think about becoming a bee keeper. These folk can tell you everything that's involved. You do need a largish garden and probably pretty understanding neighbours; in fact, that last is a must. But you will have the best garden in the area if you keep bees. Just remember, it's useful to fit nets across your open windows.