Why are bees so threatened?

Can you imagine what would happen if bees became extinct? These tiny creatures have a huge impact not only on other species, but also on us and our lives. About a third of our food and commercial agriculture depend on bees. Thanks to their pollination, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and much more are staples we take for granted. Bees pollinate approximately 80% of all native wild and cultivated plants , thus ensuring the continued existence of biodiversity.

However, the massive bee die-off began in the mid-2000s. Now, half of the more than 500 wild bee species in Germany are threatened with extinction . There are several reasons for this.

One example of this is the malnutrition of bees , caused by increased monocultures and widespread agriculture. In the fields, bees find either only a very limited range of food or too little of it. There are no longer enough wildflower meadows where bees can find a diverse food supply.

Another reason is the insecticides and pesticides that are applied to plants to protect against pests. These can be fatal to bees. They disrupt their orientation and weaken their immune system.

Bees are dying more and more frequently these days because they can no longer find nesting sites in nature and are also more heavily attacked by parasites and pathogens .

Climate change is also claiming many bee lives. Milder winters mean they fly for longer periods and expend more energy, resulting in shorter lifespans and fewer offspring. Climate change is also intensifying periods of drought, during which fewer plants bloom and bees have less food.

What is particularly alarming for us, however, is that the absence of bees reduces the harvest more than a lack of fertilization or too little water.

If the bee die-off continues or even intensifies, many of our favorite foods could soon disappear. The lack of pollination will also lead to reduced biodiversity . Fewer bees mean fewer plants can be pollinated and will therefore die out. Animals that depend on these plants as a food source will feel the effects severely. This small pollinator plays a fundamental role in our ecosystem, and without it, our world will look very different and emptier.

If you'd like to do something to combat bee deaths, here are a few tips . For example, you can support flower diversity by planting a wildflower meadow in your garden or herbs on your balcony. You can also create nesting sites for wild bees by building piles of deadwood, bare soil, and dry stone walls. It's also important to avoid pesticides wherever possible. This means choosing organic products when shopping and definitely avoiding heavily contaminated products.

With our 4peoplewhocare products , you can also support bees. For every product sold, several square meters of wildflower meadow are planted. We then use the beeswax from the bees in many of our products, creating a natural cycle.