The Plight of the Mason Bee

My name is Bomber and I am a blue orchard mason bee. My family is native to Vancouver Island but we have struggled very hard to survive here. Even though I am one of the most effective pollinating bees out there, people don't take very good care of me. I worry that over time, my kind is going to completely disappear. Without bees like me, your apple trees would have fewer apples and your lovely garden flowers may not blossom next spring.

Did you know that for one of every three mouthfuls you eat, you can thank a bee?

Also, please remember that I am a tiny blue bee that is often mistaken for a fly. So, the next time you are thinking of swatting at a fly, take a closer look because it could actually be a little bee like me!

Although my honeybee friends are also good pollinators, try not to count on them alone. Every year, honeybee numbers are getting smaller and smaller because of a fatal parasitic mite that is attacking their community.

Luckily, these mites aren't harmful to blue orchard mason bees - but that doesn't mean that our population is safe, we have been plagued by human factors like pesticide use and urban development...