š Help a Tired Bee: A Quick Guide to Bee First Aid
No apologies for repeating this important messageābecause it could save a life (a tiny, buzzing one!).
If you spot a bee sitting on the ground, not flying, and not feeding on a flower, sheās likely not restingāsheās starving. And yes, most of the worker bees youāll come across are female.
Weāre currently in what beekeepers call the āJune Gapāāa time when spring flowers have faded, and summer blooms havenāt fully opened yet. That means food is scarce for pollinators, and theyāre struggling to find the energy to keep going.
š„ How You Can Help
You can give a bee a quick energy boost with this simple emergency mix:
- 2 parts white sugar
- 1 part water
Mix it well until the sugar dissolves, then offer a few drops on a teaspoon or shallow dish near the bee.
If sheās still got the strength, youāll see her extend her tiny black tongue to drink. In about 10 minutes, sheāll likely perk up and take off, refueled and ready to get back to work.
And yesāit feels amazing to watch her fly away after your help!
ā ļø Important Reminders
- This is first aid, not a permanent fix. Bees need a diverse diet from real plants to stay healthy and pollinate effectively.
- Donāt use honey! It can spread harmful diseases between bee colonies.
- Stick to white sugar and water onlyānothing else.
š Thank You for Caring
Bees may not be able to say thanks, but if they could, theyād be buzzing with gratitude. So Iāll say it for them:
Thank you. Truly. Every bee you help makes a difference.
And remember:
Words are like beesāsome create sweetness, others leave a sting. Choose yours wisely.