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Original poster

Bee starvation warning. Can you help?

78 replies

Ciri · 07/08/2023 14:00

So there is currently a bee starvation warning out. The weather hasn’t been kind and bees are really struggling. Bee keepers are having to feed their bees and this impacts on all of our pollinators since they all compete for the same food source.

If you could put out a sugar solution or some fondant icing dampened with water that can really help to see them through. It isn’t their ideal food source but it keeps them alive until the hive recovers. Good for the kids to do as a summer holiday activity too.

we need more flowers Flowers

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 07/08/2023 14:03

Is there a particular place we need to put it?

I saw a similar post a few days ago and then saw what looked like a 'tired bee' on my doorstep, so I put a drop of agave syrup, because that's what we had in, just in front of the bee and it virtually leapt on it and hoovered it all up. So hopefully that bee was saved.

Original poster
Ciri · 07/08/2023 14:09

Anywhere really. Ideally not too low and strangely it can help if it’s near to plants because they head for the flowers, realise they are not going to get what they need and then they flag.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ciri · 07/08/2023 14:10

If you make up a sugar solution it needs to be fairly firm so that they don’t drown.

OP posts:
DelilahBucket · 07/08/2023 14:12

This really isn't a good idea. If everyone starts leaving sugar water everywhere the bees will leave the flowers and go straight for the easy solution. Then nothing gets pollinated and that is literally the reason we need them alive.

Original poster
Ciri · 07/08/2023 14:14

Are you a beekeeper Delilah? Sorry if that sounds rude but this is an emergency starvation warning. There is literally not enough pollen being produced for them.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ciri · 07/08/2023 14:15

And the bees don’t go for sugar in preference to flowers. They only take it if there is nothing better.

OP posts:
skinnytobe · 07/08/2023 14:15

The hundreds of bees that have taken up residence in my roof all seem full of energy 🙈

Original poster
Ciri · 07/08/2023 14:17

skinnytobe · 07/08/2023 14:15

The hundreds of bees that have taken up residence in my roof all seem full of energy 🙈

If you contact your local beekeepers association they will happily move them on for you.

OP posts:
Busubaba · 07/08/2023 14:17

We have loads of bees here in the garden. This year has seen more than ever.

Perhaps people should plant things that are bee friendly rather than some of the sterile environments that a lot of people have because they are low maintenance. Just a pot of wildflower seeds grown would help.

Nemesias · 07/08/2023 14:17

Sugar water is bad for bees. Good in an absolute emergency to perk up an individual bee but you shouldn’t be leaving it. There are far more pollinators than just honeybees, which crowd out native insects. Provide water, provide flowers and don’t put out sugar water

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/you-should-never-leave-sugar-20647378#

A spokesperson for the RSPB said: “It’s a nice thing to do and it makes people feel good about themselves, but it’s only a short term solution for a bee. “You’re giving it a sugar buzz, but what they really need is nectar.
“What people can do to help is plant flowers that flower all year round.
“We would not advise leaving out sugar and water as bees will go to this rather than a flower because it is easier and then flowers are not being pollinated.”

Why you should never leave sugar water out for bees

Summer is approaching and here is how you can protect the buzzing bees

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/you-should-never-leave-sugar-20647378#

Original poster
Ciri · 07/08/2023 14:18

Busubaba · 07/08/2023 14:17

We have loads of bees here in the garden. This year has seen more than ever.

Perhaps people should plant things that are bee friendly rather than some of the sterile environments that a lot of people have because they are low maintenance. Just a pot of wildflower seeds grown would help.

Absolutely but plants don’t flower overnight. This is a starvation warning situation where they need immediate help.

OP posts:
megletthesecond · 07/08/2023 14:18

People also need to plan what flowers to put in for next year.
The bees are going nuts on my sunflowers and hollyhocks at the moment.

Original poster
Ciri · 07/08/2023 14:19

Nemesias · 07/08/2023 14:17

Sugar water is bad for bees. Good in an absolute emergency to perk up an individual bee but you shouldn’t be leaving it. There are far more pollinators than just honeybees, which crowd out native insects. Provide water, provide flowers and don’t put out sugar water

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/you-should-never-leave-sugar-20647378#

A spokesperson for the RSPB said: “It’s a nice thing to do and it makes people feel good about themselves, but it’s only a short term solution for a bee. “You’re giving it a sugar buzz, but what they really need is nectar.
“What people can do to help is plant flowers that flower all year round.
“We would not advise leaving out sugar and water as bees will go to this rather than a flower because it is easier and then flowers are not being pollinated.”

Sorry no. In general yes absolutely they need flowers. But this is a starvation warning!

OP posts:
DaisyAndDonaldDuck · 07/08/2023 14:20

Nope. I’m not encouraging those fuckers in my garden.

NauseousNancy · 07/08/2023 14:20

i have planted lots of wildflowers this year and the bees are happily buzzing around them, so there would be no need for this.

Nemesias · 07/08/2023 14:21

Ciri · 07/08/2023 14:19

Sorry no. In general yes absolutely they need flowers. But this is a starvation warning!

Show quote history

I believe the rspb over you. Where’s the starvation warning come from? Beekeepers?

perhaps they should let the bees keep their honey then.

leaving out sugar water is a really bad piece of misinformation

Singleandproud · 07/08/2023 14:22

@NauseousNancy most of my garden is given over to wildflowers, they looked fabulous in May and Jun and now are all pretty much dead, ive cut them back/ deadheaded them to encourage more growth but my gardens pretty much flower free with exception of the purple strife in the pond.

Heurgh · 07/08/2023 14:23

DaisyAndDonaldDuck · 07/08/2023 14:20

Nope. I’m not encouraging those fuckers in my garden.

You know what bees do, right?

fussychica · 07/08/2023 14:24

My lavenders are inundated as usual, so much so we built an alternative path to the front door for summer. Our buddleia is also covered on bees and butterflies. We were only remarking on it yesterday that despite an early absence of bees and butterflies they seem really abundant now.

Original poster
Ciri · 07/08/2023 14:24

In normal times it is not a good idea. In starvation warning times it can get them through and save them. We’ve had a shit load of rain and contrary to popular belief, not all flowers are a food source all the time. It takes time (often many hours) for a flower to be a good source once again after if has been visited. Different plants take different amounts of time.

I wish I hadn’t bothered. Everyone’s an expert.

OP posts:
titchy · 07/08/2023 14:25

It would be nice if you'd provided a source that's all.

SquirrelSoShiny · 07/08/2023 14:25

They love lavender and it's very easy to grow.

DaisyAndDonaldDuck · 07/08/2023 14:25

Heurgh · 07/08/2023 14:23

You know what bees do, right?

Show quote history

Yup. Still don’t want them in my garden.

MsBIobby · 07/08/2023 14:25

DaisyAndDonaldDuck · 07/08/2023 14:20

Nope. I’m not encouraging those fuckers in my garden.

Do you want a round of applause ?

DaisyAndDonaldDuck · 07/08/2023 14:26

MsBIobby · 07/08/2023 14:25

Do you want a round of applause ?

Show quote history

Oh go on then, if you’re offering 😉