Sugar boost for bees

It’s the busiest time of year for our pollinating bees, and apparently many often take a rest by simply lying on the ground, say experts. Although when we see bees lying in the grass or on a path they give the appearance of having expired, or being injured, they're very likely just exhausted, and it seems the best way to give them a helping hand to get up and about is with a sugary drink.

To make a pick-me-up to stir bees back to life you stir two tablespoons of white, granulated sugar into water and put the mixture in a small container. Although it might seem a more logical choice, honey is less likely to tempt our native bees than sugar, according to the RSPB.

Val Osborne, head of RSPB Wildlife Enquiries, said: ‘Bees are working to keep the planet’s food chains intact, and they really do deserve our help. We’ve been getting even more calls about this year, as most people have read that they are in trouble.’

Sadly, many bee species are under threat due to habitat loss, such as the wild honey bee, the short-haired bumblebee and the garden honey bee. The loss of our native bees could be devastating to wild flowers and crops.

Today’s farmland has less food for bumblebees, which prefer hay meadows and clover leys. Gardeners can help by planting nectar- and pollen-rich varieties, such as knapweed, sunflowers and buddleia.

For more information about attracting wildlife to your garden, visit www.rspb.org.uk/hfw

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