Save the Bees!

[beac]

Fellow DU gardeners,

Please do take a minute to add your name to help save our little partners in the garden. What would we do without bees?

In the next week, the EPA is expected to issue a decision on the pesticide Clothianidin -- which scientists believe is a major factor in the alarming decline in U.S honey bee populations, known as Colony Collapse Disorder.

Since 2006, one third of U.S honey bee populations have been dying off. One third. Every year. That's a terrible rate of species destruction on its own, but it's also a serious threat to our food supply. Honey bees play a crucial role by pollinating 71 of the 100 most common crops, which account for 90% of the world's food supply.

The EPA will be issuing a decision soon. If the agency doesn't act, it won't review Clothianidin again until 2018 -- and by then it could be too late for the bees.

I just signed a petition to the EPA, and I thought you would want to add your name, too.

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/bee_decision/?r_by=42082-68532-vorpBjx&rc=paste2

Thanks,
beac

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Done even though about 50,000 of the little guys caused $400 in damage to

my porch a couple of years ago.

[beac]

2. Much appreciated.

I know they can sometimes choose unfortunate places to hive.

Thanks for being a forgiving homeowner!

[dgibby]

3. Done!

Speaking of bees, I have planted many flowers that are attractive to pollenators, including bee balm; however, when it comes to bees, the Lamb's Ears wins by a mile. Mine are covered in bees and have been for about 2 months now. The only other things I've seen bees swarm to like that are Purple Leafed Plums and Crabapples. Amazing!

[beac]

4. I just got some lambs ear from a friend's garden.

Glad to know it will help keep my own local hive humming happily!

[Denninmi]

5. Leeks. When leeks bloom, it's like bee crack.

Get some leeks and let them bloom. They will be crawling with bees from dawn to dusk.

Something else that really attracts bees are the blossoms on American persimmon trees. When my trees are in bloom, I can hear the hum/buzz of bees from about 30/40 feet away. It's quite amazing.

[Curmudgeoness]

9. I have onions that are attractive to bees too.

I suppose that anything in that family works. I can't believe that I have to get excited when I see honeybees these days!

On a more sobering note, I remember when I was young, the white clover growing in the grass always was covered in bees. If I was running around barefoot, I always had to avoid those patches of clover. I still have white clover all over the yard, but I see few bees on it. Sad and scary.

[NJCher]

11. I have some! (leeks going to seed)

Wow, so glad you posted that, as I was thinking to cut them down. Won't do it now.

And yep, signed too.


Cher

[Denninmi]

6. Done.

[beac]

7. Thanks, Denn!

[jp11]

8. Signed.

[beac]

10. Thanks!

[Javaman]

12. Done. I keep bees and have been following this issue very closely.

thanks for the info and the link.

[beac]

13. Thanks. And hurrah for beekeeping!

[Worried senior]

14. I signed

and I have a lot of flowers and plants that they seem to like. Love seeing them in action.

[beac]

15. They really are fascinating to watch up close.

My local hive members are quite gentle and don't mind my observing them up close while they work.

[kjackson227]

16. Done

[beac]

17. Thanks!

[Sentath]

18. K&R&S

(snicker)

[beac]

19. T&B!

Thanks and Bzzzzzzzzzzz!