There are so many phobias in the world. Some are really common, like being afraid of heights, snakes, or spiders. But there are also some really strange ones that most people don’t even understand.
My phobia? It’s bees. Well, to be honest, it’s not just bees—it’s anything that buzzes and can sting. But without a doubt, bees are the main reason for my fear. You might ask why, but honestly, I have no idea. If I knew, maybe I could figure out how to stop being so scared of them.
When I was a kid, my fear of bees was extreme. And I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, but if I had the power back then to snap my fingers and make all the bees disappear, I probably would have done it without thinking twice.
Of course, now that I’m older and a bit wiser, I realize that would’ve been a terrible mistake. If I had somehow wiped out all the bees, I would’ve basically doomed humanity too.
You see, bees are incredibly important to our planet. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, out of the 100 different crops that provide 90% of the world’s food, 71 of them are pollinated by bees.
So, with this knowledge—and the fact that I didn’t grow up to be a complete monster—I’ve learned to respect bees a lot more. Don’t get me wrong, if a bee lands on me, I’ll still probably scream and flail my arms like a crazy person. But now I know how essential they are for the environment.
Sadly, if you look into it, you’ll find some really upsetting information about bees. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, about 40% of bee species are currently at risk of extinction.
Knowing this, it’s more important than ever that we all do our part to help out the bees—especially in cities and towns, where bees need all the help they can get.
David Attenborough, the world-famous biologist and conservationist, has a great tip: he says to put a spoonful of sugary water in your backyard. It might not seem like much, but this simple mixture can actually save bees that are exhausted. It gives them the energy to keep going when they might otherwise die.
If you ever see a bee lying on the ground, looking like it’s dead, don’t panic! It’s probably just too tired to fly back to its hive. All you need to do is mix two tablespoons of white sugar with one tablespoon of water, and place the solution near the bee. This can give it the boost it needs to fly home.
But if you really want to do more, there are plenty of simple ways to help. For instance, you can plant flowers on your balcony or in your yard. Bees love flowers because they can get nectar from them. By planting some flowers, you’ll be helping the bees, which in turn helps the environment.
So, the next time you see someone in your family putting a spoonful of sugar water outside, don’t laugh at them! In fact, you should join them and place a spoon outside too. It’s a small thing, but every little bit helps when it comes to saving the bees.
