The Buzz About Bees

Hey everyone, summer is officially here! With this much-loved season comes extended daylight hours, vibrant blossoms, and bustling… bees!

In Alberta alone, you’ll encounter around 200 different species of native bees! Bumblebees, leafcutter bees, mason bees, and sweat bees are among the most common (don’t worry, none of these produce honey). Although honeybees aren’t native to Alberta, they’re often brought in from Europe for honey production.

Bees play a crucial role in the environment, supporting wild plant growth, biodiversity, and in the case of honeybees, providing us with a delightful food source. Sadly, bee populations have been significantly affected by pesticides and habitat destruction. If you’d like to support your local bees and enjoy their pollination efforts, here’s how you can help...

Happy Bees

Even if you didn’t plan specifically for your buzzing friends, it’s never too late! There are a few simple actions you can take to make your garden more inviting for bees and Other pollinators.

Bees + Blooms = Love

As you tend to your garden this year, think of it as an opportunity to plant some bee-friendly flowers—perhaps even some perennials. Besides bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, beetles, and even bats are important pollinators. For a pollinator-friendly garden, consider planting Queen Anne’s lace, zinnias, daisies, asters, monarda, larkspur, lavender, salvia, mint, or oregano… just to name a few. To ensure bees visit throughout the summer, opt for flowers with varying bloom times—but remember to check your region’s weather and soil conditions to encourage healthy growth.

By diversifying your plants, keeping them well-watered, and steering clear of pesticides, you’ll create a welcoming environment for bees. If you're passionate about beekeeping in your community, look into joining a local beekeeping club like the Calgary and District Beekeepers Association.

Sometimes It's Best to Buzz Off

Lastly, remember to give bees their space. About 70% of Alberta’s bees nest underground, and while some female species can sting, wasps and hornets are more likely to cause trouble. If you do get stung, here’s how to handle it:

1. Apply ice or a cold compress to the sting.
2. Ibuprofen or similar anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce pain and swelling.
3. For itching, calamine lotion works well, but for more severe reactions, try an antihistamine.
4. If you experience severe swelling or a prolonged allergic reaction, seek medical attention right away.

Sweet Honey

The good news is that we’ve reached the sweet part—honey!

Did you know that honeybees are the only insects capable of producing food consumed by humans? And they do so with remarkable efficiency. Raw honey is packed with antioxidants, and it also has antibacterial and antifungal properties.

How to Keep Honey Fresh

While delicious, honey can sometimes be tricky—especially when it starts to crystallize. Left on the counter for too long, it can turn into a lumpy mess. But don’t worry, there’s an easy fix! Once you learn this trick, you’ll be able to use honey in your recipes again in no time.

Another way to prevent crystallization is to buy honey in smaller quantities. Local honey producers often offer high-quality honey in smaller jars, which not only tastes better but also supports nearby businesses.

Cooking with Honey

Honey is one of the best natural sweeteners for cooking and baking. Whether it’s grilled nectarines with honey cream or crispy honey lime chicken, honey adds a naturally sweet flavor to every dish.

No matter if you’re an experienced chef searching for your perfect ingredient or a gardening enthusiast looking to attract pollinators, bees bring delicious results. A few small changes in your garden can make a big difference in your local ecosystem.

“Bees do have a smell, you know, and if they don’t they should, for their feet are dusted with spices from a million flowers.” — Ray Bradbury