Top Tips on How to Save a Bee

An exhausted bee crawling around isn't an uncommon sight, and it's sad to see these important creatures suffering so much, from mason bees to honey bees, they are all crucial to our environment. All hope isn't lost, and there are a few ways we can help bumble bees who need us the most.

A few drops of sugar water can go a long way for tired bees and have them up and buzzing around the hive in no time!

This guide will provide you with practical tips on how to save an injured or dying bee, from assessing its condition to providing the necessary care. Every small effort can make a big difference in supporting our precious bee populations.

How To Tell if a Bee is Dying or is a Tired Bee

When you find a slow bee, it's important to determine if they are dying or just tired, because if they are tired - you may be able to help them regain energy and carry on with their day.

First, you want to observe the bee - a tired bee will move slowly, dragging its self along the ground to get where it wants to go. It will be sluggish, but respond to touch or stimuli. If a bee is dying, it will show little to no movement when touched gently. If the bee is lying on long grass on its back or side and is not attempting to right itself, it could be a sign that it’s in its final moments.

If you can, check for any injuries, a tired bee will have no significant physical damage, where as if a bee is dying, the might have missing legs, wings or damage to their body.

When a tired bee is conserving energy, they will keep their wings close to their body. If wings are damaged, it could be a sign the bee is old or has been through harsh conditions.

If you look closely, you'll be able to see the slow movements of breathing in this insects abdomen, this indicates that it is just tired and it's possible to save this bee.

Cold and wet weather can be tough for bees, so if you find one exposed in these conditions, it's likely that it is struggling and needs to be somewhere warm.

If you find the bee in early spring, it's likely that it is just resting as researchers found that bees rest for around 30 minutes, so in most cases, there may be nothing wrong with the bee!

Feeding bees a sugar water solution can help you decide whether the bee is just tired as a tired bee with drink the water to regain energy.

Ways To Save The Hungry Bee Populations

Helping exhausted bees is really simple. Firstly, if the bee is out in the open, gently move it to a space that has shelter and is away from any predators. You can use a piece of paper, or a leaf, to transport the bee safely.

An easy way to bring life back to these bees is to provide them with an energy drink! Mix a small amount of white granulated sugar (or brown sugar) with water, creating a bit of a sugar syrup, and place a few drops near the bee, offering sugar water should give these insects the boost of energy they need.

Let the bee rest, if a bee is so tired they can barely move, the sugar solution should revive a tired bee, but they'll still be tired, so let this insect rest where it won't be disturbed.

If you can, keep an eye on the bee and hopefully you'll see all the help worked and they'll fly off back home!

Ways to Protect Solitary Bees in your Garden

With around 23 million gardens in the UK, they play important role in looking after these pollinators and helping they survive, and thrive. The light buzz on a summers day adds to the joy of sitting outside in your garden and there are so many ways you can encourage them into your outside space.

Plant a variety of native, bee friendly plants and wildlife flowers. All of our fuzzy friends will appreciate these nectar rich flowers as they are perfect to collect pollen from. With these plants in your garden, you'll often find bees, and other insects, buzzing around.

Where possible, avoid using pesticides, if you need to, find natural methods that are safe for bees.

Solitary bees love to have somewhere safe to stay, so you can build nests for insects, or buy an insect hotel to add into your garden.

Like many other animals, bees need water, so offer a small dish of fresh water for the bees to use. Keep the water and dish clean, and make sure it's filled up regularly.

In Summary - 5 Top Tips

1. Provide Sugar Water for Energy

Bees can often appear sluggish or unresponsive because they are low on energy. To help revive them:

• Mix a solution of sugar and water in a 1:1 ratio.

• Place a few drops of this solution on a spoon or a shallow dish.

• Position the dish or spoon near the bee so it can access the solution easily.

2. Ensure the Bee is in a Safe, Warm Place

Bees can become immobilised by cold weather. To help a cold bee:

• Carefully move the bee to a warmer, sheltered location.

• Place it in a sunny spot or inside a small, ventilated box with air holes.

3. Check for Injury or Wing Damage

Examine the bee gently to see if it has any visible injuries or damage to its wings.

• If it has any debris stuck to it, you can try to gently remove it.

• If the bee is wet, let it dry naturally in a warm spot, but ensure it’s safe from predators.

4. Provide Fresh Flowers

Bees need nectar and pollen to survive. You can help by:

• Offering fresh flowers that have not been treated with pesticides.

• Place the flowers near the bee to give it access to natural food sources.

5. Give the Bee Time and Space

Sometimes, bees just need a bit of rest and space to recover:

• Once you’ve provided sugar water and ensured it's in a safe place, give the bee some time.

• Avoid handling the bee too much as it can cause additional stress.

Bonus Tip: Create a Bee-Friendly Environment

To help bees in general:

• Plant a variety of flowers that bloom throughout the year.

• Avoid using pesticides in your garden.

• Provide a shallow dish of water with pebbles for bees to land on and drink.

By following these tips, you can significantly increase the chances of helping a struggling bee recover and continue its vital role in the ecosystem.

Attracting Bees to Your Garden

To attract bees to your garden, plant a variety of flowers that bloom throughout the year, focusing on native species as they are best suited for local bees.

Avoid using pesticides and opt for natural pest control methods. Provide shallow water sources with pebbles for bees to drink. Create shelters by using bee hotels and leaving patches of bare soil for nesting. Plant flowers in clusters to make it easier for bees to gather nectar and pollen efficiently.

Choose plants with high nectar and pollen content, such as lavender, sunflowers, borage, echinacea, and herbs like thyme and oregano. These steps will create an inviting environment for bees, supporting their populations and benefiting your garden.