Why are bees so important?

When people think of bees, they usually think of honey – or of being stung. But bees do something much more important for us: they help plants to make fruit and seeds.

Here is how it works. When a bee visits a flower to collect food, a fine yellow powder called pollen sticks to its body. When the bee flies to the next flower, some of that pollen falls off. This is called pollination, and many plants cannot produce fruit without it.

Bees are not the only insects that do this, but they are some of the most important. Experts say that around three out of four of the main food crops in the world need insects like bees, at least partly. Apples, strawberries, tomatoes, almonds and coffee are just a few examples.

Unfortunately, many kinds of bees are in danger. There are several reasons. Farms and cities have taken the place of fields full of wild flowers, so bees have less food. Some chemicals that farmers use to kill insects can harm bees too. Diseases and changes in the weather are also part of the problem.

The good news is that ordinary people can help. You can grow flowers on a balcony or in a garden, especially local species that bloom at different times of the year. You can leave a corner of the garden a little wild and avoid using chemicals. Even a few pots of herbs like lavender or rosemary make a difference.

So next time a bee flies past you, try not to panic. It is probably busy working – for you.