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Beekeepers and environmental groups first sounded the alarm in 2006. Bees were disappearing, suddenly and at a great rate. Keepers tending their hives, discovered that all the bees had gone, except the queen and a few juveniles. There were no signs that the bees had died, as there were no corpses around the hives. They just…vanished.
This dramatic exodus triggered warnings of mass extinctions, greater food shortages, and eco collapse. The race to #savethebee was on.
In the decade since the first reports of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) things have improved. CCD is less common, but bees and their fellow pollinators aren’t completely out of the woods.
Currently, 4,000 native bee species in North America are in decline. One in 4 bee species are at risk of extinction. And the number of previously common butterflies—such as the Monarch—are dropping.
Who needs pollinators anyway?
Pollinators are essential to a healthy ecosystem. Plants and flowers rely on them. And so do we. Hardworking pollinators promote the growth of around 100 varieties of America’s favorite fruits and vegetables. Their selfless work adds around $24 billion dollars to the US economy. Without them, we wouldn’t have the fresh produce we desire for our breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
So what’s driving the drop in pollinator numbers? And, in a rapidly changing world, what can we do to protect struggling bees, butterflies, birds, bats, beetles, and flies?
I went looking for answers. Here’s what some heavy research told me about current pollinator numbers, the challenges they’re facing, and, most importantly, what we can do to encourage positive change.
Pollinators are battling major problems
The toxic impact of pesticides. Commercial and private garden use of pesticides negatively affects pollinators by:
- harming their memory and interfering with their ability to navigate
- changing their reproductive capabilities
- removing their food sources
- contaminating pollen
- causing death.
Even bee or pollinator-friendly pesticides expose bees to many different chemicals leading to a build-up of toxicity.
Climate change. Warmer temperatures are causing plants and flowers to bloom earlier. This shift plays havoc with pollinators’ carefully calibrated seasonal schedules. Some insects have adapted, but not all can. Pollinators turning up late to the party are finding fewer flowers, which means less food.
Pollinators struggle with extreme weather events like droughts and extra heavy rainfall. During dry periods, plants conserve energy by producing fewer flowers, which means fewer food sources for bees and butterflies. While heavier and longer rainy seasons limit the time pollinators can forage. After all, no one likes going out in the rain.
Loss of habitat. As agriculture and people consume more space, foraging areas are decreasing. According to one report, America has lost 24 million acres of natural land in just 16 years. (As one article put it, that’s 9 Grand Canyon national parks.) Rewilding projects are looking to change this.
Disease and parasites. From mites that feed on bee blood to bacteria that destroy their larvae, there’s a whole host of hideous afflictions that can affect colonies. And while not much is known about diseases and parasites affecting native, non-managed pollinator colonies or species, it’s predicted that they are facing the same struggles.
Monoculture farming. Single-crop farming over wide areas creates roadblocks for pollinators. It cuts them off from other foraging areas and food sources. It’s especially problematic if the monocrop doesn’t provide enough of the nutrients they need.
Limited diet. Commercial hives brought in to pollinate the plants or trees on single-crop farms limit the bees to one food source. This is OK for a short time, and supplements may be fed to the colony. However, in the longer term, bees are deprived of the diverse range of nutrients they need to stay strong and produce winter food reserves.
Flowers are feeling the effect
Flowers rely on pollinators to fruit and reproduce. And there’s fierce competition to attract a pollinator’s attention, so looks really matter. This is why flowers and plants have evolved in many interesting and beautiful ways. So they stand out. (And, in some cases, are shaped to ensure the insect leaves covered in pollen.) But as the number of pollinators decreases, plants and flowers are putting in less effort. Some have even started to self-pollinate.
In 2023, Pierre-Olivier Cheptou, a researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research, discovered that pansies growing in a field near Paris were 10% smaller and produced 20% less nectar than flowers that grew in the same field 20-30 years ago.
In an article for The Guardian, Cheptou said there are signs that the plants are “evolving towards self-pollination, where each plant reproduces with itself, which works in the short term but may well limit their capacity to adapt to future environmental changes.”
It’s thought that this rift between flowers and pollinators is creeping towards a vicious and probably inescapable loop. Fewer pollinators discourages plants from producing as much nectar or pollen. This means less food for the insects. As a result, the insects decrease in size and weight, and their numbers fall. And so the loop goes on.
But look, it’s not all doom and gloom. Some flowers are evolving so they attract more pollinators. Foxgloves in Costa Rica are a good example of this. As a non-native to the area they quickly evolved, changing shape so their flowers are accessible to hummingbirds as well as bees. And people are working to do more for our native pollinators, too.
Beekeepers are starting to stabilize numbers
The recorded number of bee colonies in America in 2023 was 2.6 million. This sounds like a heck of a lot, but is actually down by 7% on the previous year. And that difference is putting pressure on commercial beekeepers as they try to keep up with agricultural and consumer demand.
Still, it’s not as bad as 2020-2021, when keepers reported that they lost 50% of their hives. Since then, keepers have become better at protecting their hives and rebuilding after a loss. Their strategies include:
- understanding how to better manage and treat pests
- knowing when and how to restock their hives or introduce another queen
- splitting hives to better protect them and move healthy bees away from any illness.
As a result of beekeepers’ actions the dire predictions made in 2006 are being kept in check.
Bee proactive. 6 ways you can support your local pollinators
Pollinators need our help. And there are 6 really simple things you can do to support them.
1. Plant the flowers they love
Such as Milkweed, Dorr’s Sage, and Desert Marigold—all of which are Nevada natives that do really well in your Las Vegas garden.
2. Cut down on pesticides
Weeds and plant pests are a pain. We get it. So if you must use pesticides remember these three things.
- Look for products that are labeled as pollinator-friendly.
- Follow these pollinator protecting tips to minimize the risk to bees, butterflies, and birds.
- Avoid mixing pesticide types and brands, even if they are both labeled as bee-friendly. The combined chemical reactions may increase toxicity levels and be harmful to pollinators.
3. Buy organic produce
Organic farming isn’t completely free from pesticides but does encourage alternative pest management systems, such as introducing natural predators. (A simple example is releasing ladybirds to keep aphids in check.) Growing organic also encourages biodiversity and crop rotation, which gives pollinators more of the nutrients they need.
4. Help them stay hydrated
Make a butterfly puddler or bee watering station so pollinators can safely stop for a drink while they’re going about their busy day.
5. Support pollinator-positive nonprofits and businesses
Local and national wildlife and environmental groups are doing some epic work to raise the profile of the plight of the pollinators. There are lots of ways you can support their work. Buy items in their store, or make a donation. Better still, attend a course or read their content. Some of the organizations to check out include:
6. Educate the future keepers of our planet
Talk to your children about the work pollinators do and why they’re so important to our eco-systems and existence. You’ll also find lots of great kid’s books on the topic. (I have it on good authority that It Starts with a Bee by Jennine Webber is a particularly lovely choice.) The more they know, the better equipped they’ll be when it’s their turn to care for a garden and do the grocery shopping.
Buzzing to take action?
Then here’s the challenge.
Do one thing today that will support our world’s pollinators. You could:
- buy some local honey
- plant a bee-friendly flower in your garden
- make a donation to a conservation organization
- choose the organically grown tomatoes when you head to the store later.
