2023-05-30 13:14:46
Bees, as we know, are fundamental insects to our ecosystem and a precious asset to humans. Despite the mutual fear of coming into contact with each other, it is enough to keep a sufficient distance to ensure peaceful coexistence. To protect them, various measures are taken, such that some cabinets are under video surveillance to ensure that no one approaches them. In addition, a method had spread on social networks to give tired bees some refreshment: an undoubtedly kind gesture, which, however, does not seem to have the desired effects, far from it. Let’s find out more about it.
It seems like it’s not a good idea to make sugar water to offer to tired bees. The fact to prepare the mixture and leave it in the garden, on the balcony or on the windowsill comes from a post that went viral on Facebook, where it was recommended to help regenerate these precious insects with a boost of energy during their laborious to travel. Many users believed that the suggestion came from biologist David Attenborough, but that was not the case.
In reality, this gesture, which can certainly be kind and solidarity for bees, could have disastrous consequences, stopping the disclosure of incorrect information. However, before that, millions of people have viewed the content and many will have decided to put it into practice. Therefore, if you come across videos or posts suggesting that you give sugar water to bees, don’t do it. Experts explained that, apart from good intentions, this would do more harm than good.
The post in question read: “In the past five years, the bee population has declined by 1/3. If they disappeared from the face of the earth, humans would have only four years left to live. Often in the spring it can seem as if bees are on the about to die, but nothing could be further from the truth. Bees can get tired and simply do not have enough energy to return to the hive. If you find a tired bee in your home, there is a simple solution, sugar and water will help an exhausted bee. Just mix two tablespoons of white granulated sugar with one tablespoon of water and put everything on a spoon for the bee to reach.”
The BBC has announced that this could cause significant damage to the bee species, which is already sufficiently affected. By offering them this solution, you apparently run the risk of seeing a whole swarm coming towards your house. Experts claim that after discovering the sugar water, the bees will most likely return to the hive inviting all of their companions to follow them in the direction of the source.
This can have devastating consequences for both us and them: a little sugar can indeed help a tired bee regain its strength, but larger doses are dangerous and represent no nutritional value for them. If bees “stealed” our sugar and stored it in the hive as honey, they would stop foraging for nectar from flowers and be unable to feed their larvae. In addition, if they used sugar instead of honey, beekeepers would extract sugar syrup and sell it as honey, raising many ethical and legal issues.
If we really want to help bees, we have to plant flowers.
#negative #consequences