Bee Thoughtful | How Homeowners Can Care For Honey Bees
— Happy World Honey Bee Day!
As we celebrate and treasure one of nature’s most important species of insects, and the tremendous impact they make on the health of our agriculture and planet, we should also remain mindful of the roles we play in the vitality of the honey bee species and how we, as homeowners, can take care of the world’s most beloved pollinators.
The following guide offers some in-depth suggestions that not only aid in the sustainability of the honey bee species but can also add natural beauty to your home and garden, whether you own an urban dwelling or a country estate. It might even introduce you to a new and endlessly rewarding hobby in the form of apiculture! We’ve also included a list of Chicago and Chicagoland-based beekeepers and honey harvesters that you can support in the sweetest way on Honey Bee Day.
Gardening and Landscaping With Bees In Mind
— Pollinator Friendly Plants for the Home Garden
Maintaining a bee-friendly landscape in both urban and suburban locations is one of the easiest ways to promote healthy local bee populations and improve the ecosystem wherever you live. All it takes is a little preparation and a little research into your region’s native flora and fauna to create a honey bee’s paradise at home.
First, choose plants that attract bees. Native wildflowers are the best choice, because they are the most natural source of pollen and nectar for bees in your region. In the Upper Midwest, this includes sunflowers, wild indigo, goldenrod, fireweed, prairie clover, and milkweed, just to name a few.
Along with groups of flowers, be sure to include flowering trees and shrubs that provide extra nectar as well as shade. For a water source, many bees take a liking to sloped or shallow birdbaths, garden waterfalls, and even vegetables like cabbage or broccoli that collect morning dew.
It’s important to keep chemical pesticides and insecticide far away from your garden, as these can easily spread and are seriously harmful to the bee population. The best method to adopt is organic gardening which believes in the balance that is achieved in a natural eco-system, for instance if a pest population increases in the garden like aphids, their presence will attract beneficial bugs like ladybugs who need aphids as a food source. By steering clear of chemicals, you’re creating a whole world of possibility for all types of bugs, including our honey bees!
Don’t be scared of “weeds”! Weeds are plants that are spread by seeds self-sowing and are a natural part of any bee-friendly ecosystem. Why not give them a chance to grow? They can be a remarkably pretty addition to a natural garden or outdoor space. Keep lawn mowing to a minimum, as long grasses encourage a whole wealth of wildlife from birds to bees!
— Bee-utiful Balcony Garden Ideas
Just because you live in an urban environment doesn’t mean you can’t care for honey bees. A balcony or terrace garden can be the perfect tiny oasis for traveling bees, and will promote ecosystems that otherwise wouldn’t be able to flourish in the city outside apiaries and local parks.
The first step is to plan out your space and how big of a garden you can plant. For those with small balconies and terraces, don’t fear— you can still create your perfect tiny sanctuary with just a little preparation. In addition to planting small patches of native wildflowers, an herb garden can be a remarkable and space-saving way to provide for bees as well as humans. Bees especially love lavender, basil, chamomile, coriander, mint, sage, anise hyssop, and more.
Your garden will require regular maintenance to ensure it remains a haven for bees. Mainly this will consist of “deadheading” blooms, or removing dead flowers from your plants and composting them, allowing the healthy blooms to produce more food. Regular seasonal planting is also necessary to ensure that your bees have plenty of sustenance throughout the year. Lastly, as with larger gardens, never use chemical pesticides and keep weeds intact whenever possible.
Apiary Basics For Properties of All Stripes
— Urban Beekeeping
Though it may sound impossible, urban beekeeping is one of the fastest-growing forms of apiculture. Your smaller fenced-in yard can be easily turned into a tiny bee sanctuary with some care and dedication (and permission from the neighbors), or you can invest in a rooftop apiary to give your bees the best view possible. Take a look at your city or community’s regulations on beekeeping to start planning the perfect hive.
Whether seeking training on how to keep bees or looking to buy your first colony, start by shopping local. Not only will this ensure that you are buying bees, food, and other resources that will be compatible with where you live, but you will also be able to form a good relationship with the local beekeeping community.
Chicago residents have access to the following local beekeeping organizations whose mission is to educate and support urban beekeepers:
Chicago Honey Co-Op
Provides education and helpful resources to new beekeepers, and manages rooftop apiaries across the city.
The Hive Supply
Fully-stocked beekeeping shop that also offers classes and assistance for beekeepers and homeowners.
— Backyard Beekeeping
Do you own a larger property or estate with plenty of land to spare? You’re in luck, because beehives can be incorporated seamlessly and easily into any part of your outdoor space with a little planning. Just make sure your apiaries are located in their own dedicated area that offers sunlight, provides access to flowering plants, and promotes healthy flight patterns— namely, patterns that keep your bees away from pets, livestock, and neighbors.
Start by shopping local, whether looking to take classes or start your first colony, to ensure that you are getting the expertise you need based on your region and that the honey bees, food, and supplies you buy are compatible with your area. This is also important in getting to know your local beekeeping community, which will be vital to you as an apiculturist.
For Chicagoland residents who live outside the city, there are several organizations who offer resources and knowledge to beginner and amateur beekeepers:
Cook Dupage Beekeepers Association
A community of northwestern Illinois beekeepers that offers training, meetups, and other helpful resources for beekeepers of all kinds.
Meyer Bees
Offers a wide variety of professional beekeeping supplies as well as colony starters, queens, and more. Located in Minooka, Illinois.
Shop Sweet, Shop Local
for Honey Bee Day
If you are more of a honey connoisseur than a bee buff, what better way to celebrate World Honey Bee Day than by supporting the local beekeepers and honey harvesters in your area? These shops and apiaries all produce organic and delicious honey that can be enjoyed throughout the year, and some offer other bee-related goodies like handmade beeswax candles, soaps, and more.