Yon-Ka’s Save the Bees Campaign

Throughout the month of October, Yon-Ka will be running their Save the Bees campaign.

There are about 25,000 different species of bees on Earth, which would be a much different place without their invaluable pollinating services. As such, it’s important that we devote ourselves to the protection of bees everywhere. Yon-Ka is giving you the opportunity to donate to the cause to help preserve the honeybee population.

What’s Going on With the Bees?

In recent years the bee population has been declining at an alarming rate. Why? Well, there are a few different reasons.

First, the diminishing bee population has been linked to a phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder. This disorder occurs when most of the worker bees within a colony disappear, leaving their queen behind and leaving young bees with very few nurse bees to care for them. Although researchers aren’t 100% sure of its origin, scientists are investigating varroa mite infestations, new or emerging diseases, pesticide poisoning, and changes to habitats where bees forage as possible factors.

Second is the issue of pesticides. While necessary to keep harmful insects, weeds, and diseases at bay, pesticides have repeatedly been linked to killing bees and impeding their reproduction. Neonicotinoid pesticides, a commonly used class of insecticides derived from nicotine, kill bees over an extended period of time and are particularly threatening to queen bees, thus lowering the reproductive rates of affected hives. Neonicotinoids dissolve in water and can seep into the pollen and nectar of flowers miles away from the farm where the pesticide was originally used.

Last is the varroa mite problem. These deadly parasites feed on bee blood and larva and can spread viruses and take down whole colonies of bees. Beekeepers can use a combination of natural and chemical treatments to control infestations. People who are passionate about eradicating this issue altogether, like the ones at Birds & Bees Farm in Columbus, NJ, are utilizing selective breeding to strengthen behaviors related to varroa sensitive hygiene, a natural defense mechanism against these pests.

Why We Need to Do Something

Bees are some of the hardest working creatures on Earth and are crucial agents of agriculture. It’s widely known that the act of pollination is necessary for plants to reproduce. However, did you also know that 1 in 3 bites of food that you eat is the result of pollination? Pollinating insects helped produce approximately $19 billion worth of agricultural crops in the U.S. alone in 2010, so it’s safe to say that our food system relies on them. No bees, no people!

How Yon-Ka is Helping

To help save the bees, Yon-Ka is giving back with every purchase of Lotion Yon-Ka PNG and Lotion Yon-Ka PS. Throughout October, $1 for every bottle purchased will be donated to initiatives to preserve honey bee populations. The limited edition bottle has also been redesigned as part of this campaign. You’ll notice the new look complete with the Eiffel Tower, flowers, and even a little bee donning the package.

What Else Can be Done to Help

Besides donating money, there are other things you can do to help bees. One way you can help is by planting bee-friendly flowers in your yard, which will help provide the bees with the food they need. It’s also important that you don’t use any chemicals or pesticides around your yard, as they can get into the pollen and nectar of the plants. You can even leave a small bowl of fresh water outside to provide water for the bees in your area.

Another option is to only buy local, raw honey. You want to make sure that if you’re consuming honey, you’re only eating honey that hasn’t been treated with chemicals. When you purchase from local beekeepers, you can learn more about the environment the bees live in and how they’re kept. It’s much better than buying honey from the grocery store.