Wildlife Welfare

Wild Bee Welfare Habitat Creation Advanced

Creating high-quality habitat for wild bees improves the welfare and populations of over 250 UK bee species, many of which are in serious decline.

Key Facts

The UK has 270 species of wild bee including bumblebees, solitary bees, and mining bees
25% of UK wild bee species have declined in range over the past century
Bare ground, flower-rich grassland, and dead wood are all essential wild bee habitats
Urban gardens provide significant habitat when planted with pollen-rich native plants
Pesticide exposure, particularly neonicotinoids, impairs bee navigation, reproduction, and immune function

Welfare Considerations

Wild bee welfare is inextricably linked to habitat quality and pesticide exposure; creating diverse, chemical-free habitats is one of the most impactful individual actions for insect welfare.

What You Can Do

Create bare soil patches and bee hotels for solitary bee nesting
Plant native wildflowers and avoid pesticide use in your garden
Support campaigns for neonicotinoid bans and agricultural pesticide reduction