Busy bees, vital to food production, need help from humans

  By Chris M. Worrell, special to cleveland.com

CLEVELAND,  Ohio -- The return of warmer weather to Northeast Ohio will soon have  local beehives humming. But the insect residents, who are critical to  food production, now need a bit of human help.

A 2020 Rutgers University study documented the threat that declines in the pollinator population pose  to crop yields in the United States -- the nation that feeds much of the  globe. Nonetheless, there are a variety of steps residents of our  corner of the world can take to ensure that honeybees and other  pollinators thrive.

Keeping  a hive is one possibility, though residents who find the notion of  directly interacting with stinging insects anathema can still help bees  and other pollinators.

“The  very best thing you can do is provide them habitat,” says Christine  Barnett, wildlife program specialist with the Lake Erie Nature &  Science Center.

According  to Barnett, keeping an area of loose, sandy soil in a distant corner of  the yard will benefit many overlooked ground-dwelling bees who struggle  with soil compaction and impermeable surfaces throughout Greater  Cleveland.

Native  plants, which are adapted to the fickle climate and challenging  landscapes of Northeast Ohio, provide color to yards while also offering  a food source to pollinators. Barnett emphasizes the need for variety.

“You want various flowers that will bloom throughout the warmer months,” she notes.

Providing  a sustainable variety of flowers throughout the growing season not only  ensures that pollinator food sources remain generally available, it  also guarantees a healthy dose of mutualism. Many flowers have evolved  to appeal to certain insects, an arrangement that benefits both species  involved.

“The plants’ colors and shapes have developed to attract specific pollinators,” reveals Barnett.

Native  seed packets are available through various garden centers and seed  catalogs. In general, the closer the seed source is to home, the more  successful the plants will be. The Cuyahoga Soil & Water  Conservation District sells native seeds year-round. The packets range from $13 to $16 and each will cover about 250 square feet.

Fresh water is also vital to sustaining bee populations.

“Bees use a ton of water, though people tend to think they just drink nectar,” says Barnett.

The  Lake Erie Nature & Science Center expert explains that bees cool  the hive during the heat of summer by importing water they have ingested  and fanning their wings in a way that is similar to a sweaty human  standing in front of a fan to cool off.

Barnett  suggests using a dish filled with marbles or stones that rise a bit  above the water. Bees can then drink from the water-filled spaces  between without the risk of falling in and drowning.

Along  with the “dos,” there are a number of “don’ts.” Residents should avoid  applications of chemical pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, all of  which impact bees and other pollinators where they live -- in the open  spaces around our homes and places of business.

Those  truly devoted to supporting honeybee populations can typically keep  hives, though the City of Cleveland and other jurisdictions regulate  such endeavors. Barnett suggests connecting with area experts before  attempting to establish a colony.

“The first thing I would recommend to do is to find a local bee club,” she said.

Organizations  like the Greater Cleveland Beekeepers Association, Medina Beekeepers  and the Lorain County Beekeepers Association will be familiar with laws  regarding beehives. They can also discuss costs, where to purchase bees,  equipment, bee care, potential issues and more.

Many  of the groups host spring beekeeping classes, and members are always  willing to share knowledge with prospective beekeepers.

Beekeepers  in Ohio are required to register their hives with the Ohio Department  of Agriculture, which entails a $5 fee. Those residing in the City of  Cleveland must apply for a free two-year license through the Department  of Public Health.

According  to Barnett, around 90 percent of plants in Ohio require pollinators.  Although many grains are wind pollinated, a substantial decline in  pollinators could result in a domino effect that would impact both flora  and fauna in a way that would greatly reduce our ability to obtain the  nutrients necessary to survive.

The Lake Erie Nature & Science Center will feature “Bees and Pollinators at Home” at 7 p.m. Thursday (March 18). The virtual session will be hosted by Barnett. Registration is available online and costs $8.

The  program will address introducing bees to a new hive, maintaining  pollinator houses and the wide variety of things we can all do to  support our winged friends.