As flowers start to bloom and warm weather returns full time, so does the work of pollinators like bees and butterflies.
The South Dakota state apiarist is sharing a few tips on ways to help bees as they forage for pollen.
It starts with dandelions…
The sworn enemy of a “well kept lawn” is a great source of pollen for honey bees.
That’s according to Bob Reiners, the state apiarist with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture.
He says he loves this time of the year when dandelions start popping. He says it’s rewarding to see bees covered in pollen heading back to their hive.
Reiners says keeping bees hydrated is also important.
“Make sure you provide an adequate source of water,” Reiners says. “We probably don’t think of it, but the bees need water. Sometimes they’ll go to people’s bird baths because they’re just trying to find water to… it’s evaporative cooling. So, they’re air-conditioning their hive, you might say.”
Reiners says people should also be cognizant of when and how they’re spraying chemicals around the house.
“The main thing is be careful of applications with chemicals,” Reiners says. “Try to do it real early in the morning or late at night when the bees are not foraging. That’s one of the main things to be sensitive to. We not only have honey bees, but we have butterflies and other pollinators that exist.
Reiners says the state has about 350 bee keepers and typically ranks among the top five honey producing states in the country.