The pollinating work that bees do is essential for crops, nature, wildlife and every part of daily life. Sir David Attenborough has shared a simple, kid-friendly way to help exhausted bees — and it’s such an easy trick that the whole family can get involved.
One evening, my husband spotted a bee trapped in a spider’s web outside the back door. He gently freed it with a broom handle, much to our daughter’s horror. “Why did you do that? Bees sting!”
He explained that bees are hugely important to the environment and deserve our protection. While bees can sting, it usually only happens when they feel threatened or cornered — wasps are the ones to really watch out for in summer.
She wasn’t fully convinced (not unusual!), so she went looking for more information — and that’s when we came across Sir David Attenborough’s passionate plea to help save the bees. As a big Blue Planet and Planet Earth fan, she trusted him a lot faster than she trusted her dad.
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How Can You Save the Bees?
Pollination is essential for plants to reproduce, so a huge amount of our environment depends on bees and other pollinators doing their work.
Many of the foods we enjoy every day rely on — or benefit from — bees and pollination. Without them, we’d feel the impact fast. Sir David Attenborough has spoken about just how serious the risk to the human race would be if bee populations continued to decline.
He shared this message on his official Facebook page:
“In the last 5 years the bee population has dropped by 1/3. If bees were to disappear from the face of the earth, humans would have just 4 years left to live. This time of year bees can often look like they are dying or dead, however, they’re far from it. Bees can become tired and they simply don’t have enough energy to return to the hive which can often result in being swept away. If you find a tired bee in your home, a simple solution of sugar and water will help revive an exhausted bee. Simply mix two tablespoons of white, granulated sugar with one tablespoon of water, and place on a spoon for the bee to reach. You can also help by sharing this post to raise awareness.”
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It really is such a simple way to help save the bees — all you need is a teaspoon, some sugar and a little water. Get the kids involved, and use it as a chance to chat about why bees matter, how pollination works, and what your family can do to help. Planting pollinator-friendly flowers in your garden is a great next step.
Biodiversity Ireland shares some further tips to help pollinators thrive:
- As well as summer blooms, plant shrubs that flower in early spring and late autumn.
- Bees are especially drawn to blue and yellow flowers, as these colours are easiest for them to see.
- If you have a balcony or small garden, plant flowering herbs in pots.
- Choose pollinator-friendly summer flowers such as lavender, sweet pea and sunflowers.
- Leave a stretch of grass un-mown — it’s great for clover.
- Plant fruit trees and flowering trees.
- Set aside a patch of garden for wildflowers.
And if you spot a bee stuck in a web or trapped indoors, give it a gentle helping hand and send it on its way.
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Will you be trying this simple tip to help save the bees? Do you have other ideas to share? Leave a comment below — we’d love to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are bees so important to the environment?
Bees pollinate a huge share of the plants and crops we depend on. Without pollinators, many of the foods we eat every day would become much scarcer, which is why protecting bee populations matters so much.
Is it safe to help a bee that looks tired or “dead”?
Yes — a bee lying still isn’t necessarily dead. It may simply be exhausted and unable to fly back to the hive. Offering it a spoon of sugar water can give it the energy boost it needs to recover and move on.
How do I make the sugar water mixture for a tired bee?
Mix two tablespoons of white granulated sugar with one tablespoon of water and place it on a spoon near the bee, so it can reach the mixture easily.
What’s the easiest way to make my garden more bee-friendly?
Start small — plant a few pollinator-friendly flowers such as lavender or sunflowers, leave a patch of grass un-mown for clover, and choose blue or yellow blooms, which bees find easiest to spot.
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Loved this simple bee-saving tip? Bookmark this page or share it with another family who’d enjoy trying it too — it’s a lovely little project for kids who love nature and animals.
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