4 Ways to be good to bees

Nonvegans often wonder why vegans avoid honey, since it’s not the same as killing and eating the actual bees. Though eating bees would be a direct assault on these creatures, the commercialization of honey production and using bees for pollination can be considered cruel because the bee population is suffering. One example is the colony collapse disorder plaguing the honey bees. As a vegan, you can show kindness to bees by avoiding honey, and you can also put into practice these four tips to be good to bees.
Nonvegans often wonder why vegans avoid honey, since it’s not the same as killing and eating the actual bees. Though eating bees would be a direct assault on these creatures, the commercialization of honey production and using bees for pollination can be considered cruel because the bee population is suffering. One example is the colony collapse disorder plaguing the honey bees. As a vegan, you can show kindness to bees by avoiding honey, and you can also put into practice these four tips to be good to bees.

4 Ways to be good to bees

1. Skip the insecticides

Chemicals are a primary culprit in colony collapse disorder, so stop using insecticides and herbicides in your garden. Further, be sure to read your seed packets and avoid seeds coated with insecticides or chemicals.

2. Plant more flowers — and grown them organically

Invite bees into your yard with flowers that you’re growing sans insecticides and herbicides. According to Learn2Grow.com, flowers with short nectar tubes (or no tubes at all) are easiest for many bees to drink from, so think sunflowers, goldenrods, asters or yarrow. Additionally, plants with wide, single petals, such as daisies, cosmos, dahlias and zinnias provide the best landing platform for bees.

3. Make your garden bee-friendly

Bees have the same need as humans for water, food, and shelter. Flora will give them food, of course, but provide bees with a water source, such as a birdbath or small pond, and set out hive building materials, like mud, dirt, old wood, and branches. Bees are extremely resourceful and don’t need much to build an adequate shelter.

4. Learn more and spread the word

Research bee health and tell others how they, too, can be good to bees. Bees are a crucial link in our food production — they help pollinate the plants that we live on. The welfare of bees is essentially linked to our own health and wellbeing.

More vegan lifestyle tips!