Aid for insects

You too can help protect bees!

Industrious bees are crucial to our survival. That's why we protect them – with your help.

Text: Janine Radlingmayr
Image: Getty Images
Date: 07.03.2023
Format: Tip

Protecting bees can start on a small scale, whether in the garden, on a balcony or terrace or by landscaping your roof. Honey bees and wild bees are an important part of our ecosystem. Every square metre of greenery is key to promoting biodiversity. You needn't have a huge garden to grow insect-friendly plants and thus protect bees.

What can you do?

Everyone can help to protect bees. Here are the five simplest tips:

Illustration of a bee with flowers, honey and nest box

1. Bees love plants that benefit from pollinating insects

When you are gardening, pay attention to which plants insects like. This is especially easy with native perennials and tiles of pre-seeded plants which provide islets of flowers for our diligent helpers. If you have a sun-drenched balcony, opt for bluebells, ox-eye daisies or reseda. By contrast, deadnettles, lungwort and European bellflowers are recommended for completely or semi-shaded areas. Pussy willows, fruit and maple trees are particularly valuable shrubs and trees in a garden. The greater the variety, the better!

2. Buy local

The next time you shop, go for honey products that are certified as being from your region. This protects bees.

4. Don't mow flowering meadows before mid-July:

Uncut plants are an important safe area on which insects can land. If you mow these meadows, leave at least ten percent of the area unmowed as a retreat for insects. The same applies in winter. This also creates nesting areas and places for wild bees to hibernate. Regardless of whether they are on a balcony or in the garden, leave withered bushes as they are and do not cut them down, as bees use them shelter in the winter.

4. Nesting aid for wild bees

More than 600 species of wild bees live in Switzerland, each with their own unique needs. However, they all need nesting places and plants that provide pollen and nectar. Gardening is not the only way you can help. You can make or purchase a nesting aid for your balcony or garden. Position the apiary so that it is south-facing and gets plenty of sunlight.