This spring beekeepers opened their hives to devastating losses. A parasite called varroa wreaked havoc on the pollinator population. In Quebec some estimates say the bee numbers dropped by as much as 60%. This is in addition to a recent report that honey bee numbers have declined significantly for various reasons since the start of the pandemic.

Why are bees so important?

Did you know that our planet is home to over 20,000 species of bee? Making honey is not the only thing that is unique to this amazing creature. Honeybees stand apart from the rest of their insect family as they are massive, social, and provide easy-to-domesticate colonies. Most other bees’ live solitary or semi-social lives, building individual, inconspicuous nests for their offspring in hollow plant stems or tunnels underground, and will barely interact with other bees during their several-week-long lifespan. In contrast, the Honeybees live in ever-growing colonies of thousands and visit a wide range of flowers, making them excellent collaborators in the pollination of our food crops. Without them, our food system would crumble.

Here are a few ways that folks can help counter the losses:

Rooftop hives all the rage

Did you know that when you pop into your local mall, you may well be shopping under the bees’ knees?

For the past few years Morguard and many of their managed shopping centres have been working closely with an urban bee company called Alvéole. Their job is to install bee colonies on commercial rooftops. While the mall may indeed benefit from the good buzz around the project, we all win because without pollinators, we can’t grow food.

Bees can travel up to 5 km around their hive to forage for pollen and nectar. Installing beehives on our rooftops means we help our neighbourhood blossom, as these insects contribute to the overall pollination and biodiversity of flora around the hive. Urban bees are healthier and have a stronger immune system, thanks to their access to the greater floral diversity of the city, and minimal exposure to pesticides.

You can view updates, photos, and learn more about your local shopping centre’s rooftop hive by visiting My Hive.

No Mow May: the new norm

Don’t cut the grass! It’s a trend that has been steadily, well, growing, for years. Before the trees blossom and the bulbs begin to bud in the garden, dandelions, and other native flowers blossom in the springtime sunshine. The dandelion, much-maligned by humans, is beloved by bees. By giving them something to suck on in the early days out of the winter hives, we give them a chance to thrive and then help pollinate our fruit trees and crops. Keeping your bright, sunny yellow dandies around throughout May can be tricky with the neighbours, but if you explain, or buy or make a sign stating: “Please excuse our weeds, we’re feeding the bees,” they’ll likely be understanding.

Go “au naturel”

Ever hear the expression “a weed is but an unloved flower?” Ditching the herbicides and pesticides ties into No Mow May. It’s time to re-think what makes for a beautiful urban yard and embrace a few weeds. Consider them indigenous species rather than invasive to an outdated (and unsustainable) aesthetic. Hand pick them, by all means, but fight the urge to drench any poisons on your lawn to get rid of weeds. You’ll kill bees and other pollinators, which are much more beneficial to your garden than weeds are detrimental.

Be a citizen scientist

Whether you stock grocery shelves, work for the government, or are a student, you can don a lab coat (figuratively speaking) and help. There is a program through the Bee Conservancy that tracks bee populations in their natural habitats. All you need is a mobile phone and the app, and you can upload meaningful info and share it with one million other scientists, researchers, and naturalists all over the planet.

How can I learn more about the hive in my area?

Morguard and Alvéole believe that one of the many benefits of having a hive is the sense of community it brings. You can view updates, photos, and learn more about rooftop hives by visiting My Hive.