Bee pollinating an apple tree.
Bee pollinating a pear tree.
The importance of bees:
Bees play a vital role in our ecosystem, and a flourishing allotment often owes much of its
success to the hard work of these and other small, but mighty pollinators.
The importance of bees cannot be overstated. It has been calculated by researchers, that
around one third of the global human diet relies on bee-pollinated crops, from fruits and
vegetables, to nuts and legumes. With bee pollination having been shown to improve both
the quantity and quality of these crops, increase seed set, fruit size, weight, and overall
nutritional value. Indeed, without bees, many crops would struggle to grow successfully.
Having a combination of a high diversity of wild bee species (including solitary bees,
bumblebees) and well-managed honeybee colonies, support the resilience of these
pollination services that are so critical for our food security.
Sadly, populations of solitary and bumblebees have decreased significantly since the 1980s,
with 13 species having become extinct and others being at critical risk of extinction. This is
due to the pressures they experience from habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. It
is for this reason that having more flower-rich habitats throughout towns, city, motorways and
countryside, that come into bloom across the whole year, can significantly support and boost
numbers of these important pollinators.
"If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four
years of life left." – Albert Einstein.
How do beekeepers help with supporting pollinators?
Beekeepers are helping to support the bee species Apis mellifera (which translates roughly
as honey-bearing bee), so that these wonderful creatures can undertake their important
pollination role. However, it is not a simple as just tipping a swarm into a hive and letting
them get on with it. Responsible beekeepers will be regularly checking on their hives
throughout the year to make sure that they are in good condition, healthy, disease-free and
have enough food, space and forage available.
It is important to note, that beekeepers only look after one species of bee and there are
around 250 other bees that are also vitally important for our crops and ecosystem, and
therefore beekeepers will often do their best to also help encourage healthy environments
for all types of bees and share information on what we can all do to help.
For those interested in beekeeping, Portsmouth & District Beekeeping Association welcomes
those who would like to learn about managing a hive. We are a registered charity and
promote best practices that respect the bees, environment and local community. We
encourage anyone with an interest to speak with experienced members at one of our regular
meetings and undertake our Winter Introduction to Beekeeping Training Course
(www.portsmouthbeekeepers.co.uk).
What can I do to support bees and other pollinators?
There are lots of very simple things that we can all do to support our bees and other
pollinators.
6 simple actions that anyone can take to help pollinators are:
- Grow a range of open, single petal, nectar rich flowers (ornamental and fruit/veg
crop), shrubs and trees. Using window or balcony boxes are good options if you do not have a garden at home.
- Let patches of garden and land grow wild.
- Cut grass less often, particularly in May-June so as to not remove early forage sources.
- Do not disturb insect nests and hibernation spots, and even place bee hotels on your plot if possible.
- Think carefully about whether to use pesticides, and use bee-friendly ones if you do.
- In the summer provide watering stations, by placing some pebbles in a shallow dish
of water, so the bees can land on the pebbles and take a quick drink when they are out foraging.
What if I am on my allotment or at home and am having a problem with bees, what
should I do?
On Portsmouth City Council (PCC) managed allotment sites, hives may only be kept by
members of Portsmouth & District Beekeeping Association (PDBKA) who have undertaken
sufficient training and have signed a beekeeping agreement that details the relevant
requirements for keeping hives/colonies on an allotment. The PCC Allotments Manager and
PDBKA have worked together to identify suitable locations on allotment sites, and setting the
requirement for the hives to be surrounded by fencing/netting, calm handling etc., so as to
ensure hives are placed with consideration for both safety and harmony. Therefore, you may
not even be aware of hives on your site, and will just see the benefits of the ladies pollinating
your flowers and crops.
Occasionally, however, problems with bees can arise.
The first thing to do is to try and identify what type of bees are involved, as this will
determine the next course of action.
Honey bees
If you notice a swarm please do not panic or try to disturb the bees. This is a very
natural process, and the bees are usually quite docile as they have gorged on honey
before they flew and they are only temporarily at the location. If they fly overhead,
this can look and sound quite impressive, particularly if it is a large prime swarm.
The majority of swarms will go about 20-30meters from their hive, stop for a short
period of time to cluster, and then travel around 0.4-1 mile to where their scout bees
have identified as a suitable new home – however this could be up to 6 miles from
their original hive. Therefore in many cases a swarm on an allotment may not be
from hives on the site.
If you do come across a honey bee swarm, be that at home, work, out walking or on
an allotment, please let PDBKA’s Volunteer Swarm Collectors know either via
https://portsmouthbeekeepers.co.uk/contact/ or 07442 583524. Please provide
detailed location (a What3Words location is very helpful), and if possible a
photograph.
If you have any concerns regarding a hive located on a PCC allotment, please
contact the beekeeper via the contact details they have attached to the entrance to
their plot, PDBKA or the PCC Allotment Manager.
Solitary bees
There are lots of different types of solitary bees, and these nest in a variety of places
such as bare soil, hollow plant stems, dead wood, old bricks etc. Indeed these
locations provide crucial nesting sites and whenever possible should simply be left
alone and not be disturbed, especially during the active season, as this could result
in loss of offspring and an inability to make it through to the next year.
Solitary bees are different from honey bees and bumblebees, as they do not live in
colonies. Instead, each female builds and tends to her own individual nest
independently. Therefore, as she typically only lays between 20 and 30 eggs, these
are very low in number and typically do not cause any nuisance. Whilst they can
sting, they will almost never do so unless provoked, making them gentle and
beneficial pollinators with minimal threat to people and can live happily alongside us
on an allotment or at home – indeed some people put up bee boxes/hotels to actively
encourage them, and new homes are being built with bee bricks.
If you do require solitary bees to be removed, you will need to contact either a
professional bee removal/pest control company for a quote.
Bumble bees
Bumblebees often nest underground in abandoned rodent burrows, compost heaps,
dense grass or in old bird boxes or under sheds, and only contain up to 150 workers.
They are generally quite docile, only stinging if their nest is directly threatened, and
therefore are best left alone whenever possible. They typically nest in spring, with
colonies peaking in size in the summer before then dying off in then autumn, leaving
only fertilized queens to hibernate over winter and start a new nest at a new location
next year. Many only become aware of a bumblebee nest in the Autumn, at which
time it is best to just let them be, as they will be gone shortly.
If you do require solitary bees to be removed, you will need to contact either a
professional bee removal/pest control company for a quote.
Wasps
Wasps have little or no hair, and most have bright yellow and black markings. They
are slightly larger than honeybees, with a more slender body and a constricted waist.
They often build their nests in lofts, attics, wall cavities, and hollow trees or bushes,
making papery nests that increase in size as the colony gets larger. As they are
carnivorous, they will often feed on insects, pet food, food waste and sugary drinks.
Unfortunately wasp nests are often not compatible with locations where people are
frequently passing by, and they can easily become aggressive and sting multiple
times. If you come across a wasp nest, please contact the council’s pest control
service so that this can be treated and removed.
Hornets
European Hornets are much larger than bees or wasps and have chestnut brown
with yellow striped markings. They tend to nest in tree trunks, hollow walls, or attics,
and mainly prey on other insects and will prey on bees and wasps. Care should be
taken around hornets as, whilst generally less aggressive than wasps, they can sting
and bite simultaneously when provoked. If you come across a wasp nest, please
contact the council’s pest control service so that this can be treated and removed.
The invasive Yellow-Legged (Asian) Hornet is smaller than the native European
hornet and has a dark abdomen with yellow leg tips/socks. They poses a significant
threat to honeybee and insect populations in the UK. If you see a Yellow-Legged
Hornet or a possible nest, these should be immediately reported to the government’s
National Bee Unit via the Hornet Watch App – please note a photo and location are
required – so that an investigation can be initiated and appropriate action taken.
Portsmouth & District Beekeepers
Please be aware, Portsmouth & District beekeepers are only insured to be able to help with
honey bee swarm collections, and when these are easily accessible. Therefore they are not
able to collect/remove any other type of bee, those above 12ft, or those in other inaccessible
locations such as wall cavities. In these instances, a commercial Bee Removal Company
would need to be contacted for a removal quote. Portsmouth City Council Pest Control are
only able to assist with the removal of wasps or European hornets.
