Welcome to the first episode of PolliNation Podcast.
“A hairy vegetarian wasp.”
That’s how professor Francis Ratnieks of the University of Sussex describes the bee.
Professor Ratnieks has done a lot of research on bees, from honeybee biology to practical solutions for beekeepers and homeowners interested in encouraging pollinators.
This wide-ranging interview is full of tips for how to select pollinator plants, reasons for becoming a beekeeper, and common myths that people have about bees.
You can Subscribe and Listen to PolliNation on Apple Podcasts.
And be sure to leave us a Rating and Review!
“If you a beginning beekeeper, I would greatly advise getting some assistance from an experienced beekeeper.” – Francis Ratnieks
Show Notes:
- Where Francis got his interest in honeybees
- Why the advice on honeybees given to the public is not often that good
- What the benefits are to keeping bees in cities
- The unique challenges to keeping bees in urban areas
- Tips for keeping bees in a way that doesn’t bother your neighbors
- How many bee colonies a city block can support
- Why planting floral resources may be the best way to save the bees
- Why foreign species of plants may be just as good for honeybees as local varieties
- How honeybees can fly up to 12km to find pollinators
- Dispelling the myths that the public has about bees
- How to recognize different species of bees
- Avoiding bee stings and telling the difference between a bee sting and yellow jacket sting
- What you can do to help bees in urban areas
Links Mentioned:
- LASI Bee Research & Outreach
- University of Sussex
- Professor Ratnieks honey bee research at the University of Sussex
- Connect with Professor Ratnieks at the University of Sussex
“Bees only sting if you get close to the hive, not when they are foraging.” – Francis Ratnieks