When one thinks of the Victorian Age, "abundance" generally comes to mind. Victorian homes were ornate, and full of trinkets from their prosperous age. Their books were full of flowery elaborate prose and their gardens, oh their gardens! They were drenched in blooms. Just as I do, Victorians loved their flowers. They bring cheer when someone is ill, their fragrances can be used to make perfumes, foliage can be used for medicines, and foods and certain scents can bestir a mood.
One of the most pleasant things I find in my little "Victorian Garden" besides my flowers, is the buzzing of bees and wasps among the flowers. It is life in action. The little bees are always so busy, concentrating on each flower and then flying off to the next. At times I have seen their little legs so heavy with pollen they can barely fly, yet fly they do. They are little miracles in action. I have always loved bees and they seem to work along side me and tolerate me when I am weeding and deadheading the spent flowers. They must know I mean them no harm for I have been lucky enough to avoid their wrath.
Did you realize that pesticides have wiped out most of the native varieties of honey bees (and other bee pollinators) in the US? That is frightening! Current bee populations are also under attack by parasites and disease, and they are losing the battle. Commercial beekeepers have to use cloning methods to keep their hives filled with bees. I find this very sad indeed. There are literally thousands of different species of bees, more than 1,600 in California alone. Each species has a different appearance and set of behaviors, but they all do one thing very well, pollinate our flowers, vegetables, and fruits.
I love to watch all bees at work, and as much as I enjoy the chubby little bumble bee, I also don't mind having the wasp around. Did you know the wasp is actually a beneficial insect for humans and the environment? They are one of the major natural scavengers, and they eat insects such as flies and caterpillars that are often considered pests to humans. They should be left alone if they are in a location where they are not bothering anyone. Some wasps pollinate plants and crops, but most do not. The benefits of wasps in the garden are not so widely appreciated. In the spring and early summer, wasps feed their grubs on other insect pests and so help keep the level of insect pests down. It is only necessary to treat wasp nests that pose a particular danger to you or your family, for example, nests that are close to doors or windows or inside your home, or are in a part of your garden that you regularly use. An old nest need not be treated as wasps will not return to an empty nest.
Please share your garden with the bees this spring and summer and avoid the use of chemicals and pesticides. These are harmful not only to the bee population, but to pets and wild animals, and often to humans. Try to use natural controls like soap mixes, barriers, and organic baits that help control pests while not discouraging or harming the beneficial insects.
Finally, if you are worried about bee stings, you can rest easy. Honey bees will sting if stepped on or otherwise "attacked," but they are not aggressive. Most other species of bees don't even have the ability to sting! Once you have created a friendly space you will start to see not only bees but butterflies, hummingbirds, and other creatures will also make themselves at home. Your flowers and vegetables will thank you with a beautiful display!
See you in the garden!
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