Bee forage is made up of the plants and flowers that supply nectar and pollen, which are essential for honeybees to survive and produce honey. These plants are key to helping bees gather the food they need to keep the hive going and play their part in pollination. Foraging is a critical task for bees, as it directly affects their ability to feed the colony and ensure the species thrives.

Bees typically travel 1-2 miles from the colony to forage. Some will travel up to 5 miles away if nearby resources are limited.

Chances are that you are well withing that circle be it a beekeeper or a natural colony out in nature.

Because they are so important to all that we value, we hope that you would consider adapting your surroundings to things they value.

Some helpful suggestions:

• Let your property have clover and other plants
• Avoid using harsh sprays to control weeds, insects and the like
• If you have to treat, do when the forage is less at early and late times of the day
• Offer a simple source of water when conditions in your area are dry
• Plant things bees frequent. You can search bee friendly plants, and it will offer a variety of sources to learn. Here is one example: Pollinator.org