Join the buzz with Paul Handrick, known as The Bee Guy, as he shares his mixed feelings about World Bee Day and misconceptions about how to save the bees. Paul is the proud founder of the Bee Sanctuary of Ireland, the world’s very first native bee sanctuary, and loves to share his bee adventures through his blog and social media.

First things first, Paul tells Positive News Magazine that dedicating only one day to bees just isn’t enough! With 40% of invertebrate pollinators like bees and butterflies facing extinction globally, he believes we should make everyday World Bee Day.

But here’s the twist: celebrating World Bee Day on May 20 coincides with the birthday of a renowned figure in beekeeping history. The irony is that honeybee farming, which he believes is part of the problem, is associated with this special day.

Honeybees, while important, are just eight out of approximately 20,000 species of bees. They’ve become so abundant that they compete with our wild bees for limited food sources and can spread diseases when they’re moved around, and Paul points out that the focus on honeybees in the “Save the Bees” campaigns has created a lack of awareness of this.

It’s not done on purpose; it’s simply because of a lack of awareness. Regardless, he believes we can do better than that!

So, how can we truly make a difference and save the bees?

Paul also tells Positive News that If you have outdoor space, leave as much of it as wild as possible, stop using chemicals in your garden, and buy plants, seeds, and bulbs that are untreated with pesticides. If you have a cat or dog, ask your vet for alternative flea treatments that don’t contain neonicotinoid pesticides. Eat organic; agricultural pesticides are fatal to bees.

Paul and his wife, Clare-Louise Donelan, stumbled upon a farm for sale in County Wicklow, Ireland. They bought the land in 2011 and, in 2017, transformed it into a sanctuary for bees. Their decision was motivated by their concern for wildlife affected by traditional farming practices. It was during a magical moment in a field of clover, surrounded by buzzing bees that Paul had an epiphany. He knew he had to create a sanctuary.

Their ultimate dream is to let nature reclaim the entire land.

For now, they continue to grow some crops with the surrounding wildlife in mind. Fields of sunflowers and phacelia provide delicious meals for bees and pollinators during spring and summer. And when these fields are left untouched, they become a winter buffet for birds. It’s a win-win for everyone involved!

Paul spreads bee love through his social media platforms, where he shares fascinating facts about wild native bees and the challenges they face. He offers friendly advice on how you can contribute to their well-being (see the tips below). The impact of the couple’s work extends far and wide, with people from Mongolia to Colombia making positive changes in their own gardens.

When it comes to identifying different bee species, Paul knows it can be a bit tricky. With over 270 species in the UK alone, it’s like a colourful garden party! But fear not; by observing their unique markings and behaviours, you can know which is which.

Some bees have striking stripes, others sport vibrant colours, and some even engage in leaf-carrying adventures. Just sit back, relax in your garden, and observe the magical world of bees unfolding before your eyes. To save the bees, all we need is a little love and awareness!

So, let’s come together and make a beeline for the betterment of our buzzing friends. The Bee Sanctuary of Ireland is leading the way, and you can join in too. Together, we can create a world where bees thrive every single day!