People often ask me why I write about bees.

—I’ve always been fascinated by the social nature of bees as well as their ability to make honey, which I love and collect when I travel.

—A few years ago, I started to think about what life would be like, especially if you were young, living in a hive. And what if you were different and had oddball ideas?

—As I did my research, I realized there was an amazing story to tell about them, their world, their myths and their threats. Queen Bee started there.

Why are bees in trouble? 

Many people are studying this question to understand better why bees and other valuable pollinators are at risk. In the research, a few factors stand out:

• —Pesticides – Neonictinoids (like Roundup) weaken bee immune systems
• —Parasites – Varroa Mites – further weaken bees

How can we help the bees? 

• —Support local beekeepers – like Bees in the D, Green Toe Gardens. Find more at www.michiganbees.org.
• —Support The Xerces Society – That’s the group that’s adding bees to the endangered lists and trying to raise awareness about bad bee-killing pesticides (neonicotinoids – aka – RoundUp).
• —Plant flowers bees love: catmint, lavender, foxglove, lambs ear, bee balm, zinnias and herbs in your garden.
• —Buy organic from companies that don’t use neonicotinoids (RoundUp) as a pesticide (it weakens bees).
• Support legislators who are trying to outlaw neonicotinoids in the U.S. (already outlawed in Europe!). These pesticides are believed to be a major culprit in killing bees and other beneficial pollinators and insects.