Wild Wednesday – Honey bees
World honey bee day was recognised last Saturday, an annual celebration to raise awareness and the importance of honey bees and other pollinators. In the UK, it's a day to appreciate beekeepers, enjoy local honey, and learn about how to protect bee populations.
Honey bees matter
Did you know that honey bees are responsible for pollinating around one third of the food we eat? They are important pollinators, helping flowers, fruit and vegetables to grow. They play a huge role in our ecosystem, and here in West Sussex, these tiny creatures are buzzing with activity, thanks to enthusiastic beekeepers and conservation efforts across the county.
They also produce honey, beeswax, and royal jelly-natural products with health and household uses.
But their importance goes far beyond food - they help maintain biodiversity by supporting plant reproduction, which in turn feeds and shelters other wildlife.
West Sussex is home to a thriving beekeeping community. The West Sussex Beekeepers' Association supports local divisions in Chichester, Worthing, and Wisborough Green, offering training, swarm collection, and public education.
Local projects like the Arundel Bee Project aim to make Arundel the UK's first Bee Friendly Town, working with residents and organisations to create pollinator-friendly spaces.
Threats to Honey bees
Honey bees face serious challenges, including:
- habitat loss due to urban development and intensive farming
- pesticides that harm bee health and navigation
- invasive species like the Asian hornet, which preys on honey bees and have been spotted in West Sussex
How you can help
You don't need to be a beekeeper to support honey bees - here are a few simple ways to make a difference:
- plant bee-friendly flowers like lavender, foxglove, and wild marjoram
- avoid pesticides in your garden
- support local honey producers and conservation groups
- report Asian hornet sightings via the Asian Hornet Watch app (download from Android and Apple app stores)
Bee facts
- a single honey bee will produce just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime
- they communicate using a waggle dance to tell others where to find food
- they beat their wings around 200 times per second
- a healthy hive can contain up to 50,000 bees during peak season
Sadly, the number of bees is in decline. To help support them, you can avoid using pesticides in your garden and choose natural options instead. For more information about bees visit Bee Facts | British Beekeepers Association (bbka.org.uk)
To find out what we are doing to support biodiversity in Arun visit: Biodiversity | Arun District Council
Read more here: Honey bee | The Wildlife Trusts