World Bee Day: How you can help our local bee populations

ARLINGTON, Va. (7News) — May 20 is World Bee Day, an initiative brought together by the United Nations to bring awareness to declining bee populations around the world.

Bees live very similar to the way that humans do, in that, different variations in weather and climate affect how and where they live their lives. For instance, a bee colony in Florida will need fewer winter honey reserves than one in the DMV since the winters in Florida are warmer.

7News Meteorologist Mark Peña spoke with Larry Marling, owner and bee-whisperer of Eco Honey Bees about ways you can help our local bees.

Larry said that leaving water sources out in your yard will ensure that bees have access to clean drinking water. He said that polluted water can harm and even kill bees.

Planting wildflowers and natural flora in your yard will keep your local bees busy pollinating plants that they are used to. Imported or foreign plants and flora can cause the bees to search out flora that they are used to, raising the risk of exhaustion and death by other predators. Keeping bees close to the hive is very important.

And finally, limiting or completely eliminating your use of pesticides will not only benefit local bees but everyone who enjoys being outside.