Proper weed killer application can protect bees from harm.

While often seen as nuisances, flowering weeds provide valuable foraging opportunities for bees. Non-chemical methods like hand-pulling and string trimming can offer safer alternatives to chemical weed control. Bees are active throughout spring, summer, and fall, so it's crucial to adhere to bee safety practices when applying weed killers, even if no bees are visible.

This week, the Garden Help Desk addresses inquiries about bee-friendly gardening practices. For those with bees or flowering plants, ensuring their safety is paramount. Both native bees and honeybees face threats from habitat loss, extreme weather, pesticides, and diseases, including Varroa mites, which are particularly harmful. Managing these challenges is essential for the health of bee populations.