5 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP SAVE THE BEES

5 Ways To Help Save The Bees

By D. S. Mitchell

Environmental Movement

In September 1962 Rachel Carson published one of the most important books on the environment ever published. Certainly, it can be described as the foundation of the mid-20th century environmental movement. Fundamentally, Ms Carson documented the harmful effects of the “indiscriminate” use of pesticides.

Future Generations Will Not Forgive Our Failures

In her ground breaking nonfiction book, Silent Spring she  said: “It is not my contention that chemical insecticides must never be used. I do contend that we have put poisonous and biologically potent chemicals indiscriminately into the hands of persons largely or wholly ignorant of their potentials for harm. …we have allowed these chemicals to be used with little or no advance investigation of their effect on soil, water, wildlife, and man himself. Future generations are unlikely to condone our lack of prudent concern for the integrity of the natural world that supports all life.”

Field Work

Ms Carson graduated from John Hopkins University in 1932 with a Master’s Degree in Zoology.  Ms Carson worked as a field scientist for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for fifteen years. After World War II, the government touted the value of many toxic chemicals that had been developed during the war. The prime reason behind the government support of these chemicals was the hope to maximize farm production.

Human Activity And Environmental Collapse

She was aware of the expanded use of chemicals and feared that the damage being done was often not immediately visible. Carson understood the relationship between humans and the natural world and worried about the effects of scientific interventions on the environment. Specifically, Silent Spring explained how indiscriminate application of agricultural chemicals, pesticides, and other modern chemicals polluted our streams, damaged bird and animal populations, and caused severe medical problems for humans. But her treatise did much more. Silent Spring introduced a paradigm shift in how chemists practice their discipline and how society at large relates to science.

Extinction: Two Hundred Species A Day

Now in 2019, we are facing a Second Silent Spring. Two hundred species are dying every day. We are going through one of the greatest mass extinctions in history. Focusing on honey bees it is clear that chemicals are responsible for our current mass extinction. Acetamiprid, Clothianidin, Dinotefuran, Imidacloprid, and Thiamethoxam are killing honey bees. They are commonly known as Neonics. “Bees are the canaries in the coal mine, they are the warning of an imminent and frightening threat to our food supply”, say Friends of Earth a vocal environmental group.

Five Ways You Can Help Save The Bees

There are a few things that the Friends of Earth suggest that you can do to help protect our fragile bee population.

1. BEE SAFE: Bees love Aster, Black-eyed Susan, Currant, Goldenrod, Oregon Grape, Lupine, Rhododendron, Huckleberry, Wild Lilac, Penstemon, Purple Coneflower, and Woodland sage. Plant any of these plants to attract bees to your garden. It is essential that all starts have never been treated w/chemicals. All starts must be organic or started from untreated seeds. Such gardens will give food and a safe haven for our greatest pollinators.
2. BEE AWARE: Use alternative pest control methods, like landscaping to attract beneficial insects, and eco-friendly pest-control products.
3. BEE VIGILANT: Read labels and never use products containing neonicotinoids. See a list of brands at the bottom of this article.
4. BEE VOCAL: Be sure  to involve friends and family in the rejection of neonicotinoids.
5. BEE AN ACTIVIST: Donate to organizations working to protect bees. Ask your garden shop to stop carrying Neonics. Petition your legislator.

One of the biggest things you can do is avoid Neonics. These dangerous chemicals hide in many popular brands. Please avoid the following popular products:

Aloft*Arena*Allectus*Atera*Bithor*Caravan*Coretect*Derby*Dino*Dominion*Equil*Adonis*Flagship*Flower,Rose & Shrub Care*Gaucho*Grub-No-More*Grubout*Hawk*Imaxxpro*Ima-Jet*Imi Insecticide*Imicide*Imid-Bifen*Imida-Teb Garden SC*Imidapro*Imigold*Lada*Malice*Mallet*Mantra*Marathon*Meridian*Merit*Nuprid*Optigard Flex*Pasada*Pointer Insecticide*Premise*Pronto*Prothor*Safari*Sagacity*Starkle:Bounty*Temprid* Tandem*Triple Crown Insecticide*Tristar*Turfthor*Xytect.

RESIST. CONFRONT. VOTE.