Bee cause: Preserving our Island’s Pollinators

Seabrook Island, a certified Audubon Sanctuary, is home to diverse wildlife, including birds, sea turtles, dolphins, and bees. While bees are often considered pests, they play a crucial role in our ecosystem serving as vital pollinators that contribute to the reproduction of many flowering plants. By transferring pollen from one bloom to another, bees enhance biodiversity and promote healthy ecosystems, ensuring that plants thrive and providing habitats for numerous other species. As key players in agriculture, their decline poses significant risks not only to food security but also to the overall balance of our natural environment, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these essential pollinators.

Seabrook hosts both native and non-native bees. The U.S. has around 4,000 native bee species, with over 500 found in South Carolina. 70% of the native bees live in the ground in undisturbed soil, while the remainder can be found in hollowed out stems or dead wood. Most native bees are solitary and do not live in colonies, do not produce honey, and have a limited foraging range of 100-300 feet, often specializing in certain flowers. To support these bees, the Seabrook Island Garden Club recently held a “Build a Bee House” workshop providing "bee hotels" made from natural materials to attract solitary bees. 

Like native bees, honeybees are cavity dwellers but are classified as “social” insects, living in colonies within the empty hollows of trees or in boxes managed by beekeepers. Honeybees are considered non-native species. We are fortunate to have an apiary on our island with a dozen managed colonies, maintained by three beekeepers: Karen Babb, Jean Phillips, and Valerie Doane. Our island's apiary, Seabrook IslandBee Cause, features Italian honeybees (Apis mellifera ligustica), which are known for their gentleness and excellent honey production. Unlike native bees, they will fly one to three miles to forage.  Our honey is classified as “Wildflower”, raw and unfiltered, as it comes from the nectar of various unnamed blossoms of flowers and trees.  Its only processing is done by the bees themselves.  Seabrook honey, harvested raw and unfiltered, is rich in antioxidants and has various health benefits.

In addition to producing honey, bees play a vital role in pollination, which is essential for our food chain and agricultural production. In fact, one in three bites of food we eat depends on bee pollination, significantly impacting crops such as almonds, apples, and avocados. Furthermore, bees contribute to soil health by enhancing soil quality and preventing erosion through the strengthening of plant roots.

The primary responsibility of a beekeeper is to maintain colony health through careful management practices. Beekeeping involves demanding work, particularly during the hot South Carolina summers, often while wearing protective gear. Beekeepers must take proactive measures against pests, diseases, and environmental threats, such as starvation, by providing supplemental feeding and implementing integrated pest management techniques. This includes controlling small hive beetles, wax moths, and varroa mites. If bees contract viruses, treatments and medications are administered, and beekeepers report untreatable diseases like American Foulbrood to authorities. Honey and hive products reward beekeepers for the extensive time and effort invested in managing hives.

To prevent overcrowding, beekeepers manage swarms by adding boxes, splitting colonies, and ensuring ventilation. Swarm traps are set to re-capture any bees that swarm, which can then reinforce weaker hives or be shared with other local beekeepers. Seabrook beekeepers also engage in educational initiatives, sharing their knowledge at local events, schools, and workshops, such as the recent two-day class at Camp St. Christopher for environmentalists.

While honeybees are not facing extinction, many native bee species are declining, with over 700 North American species at risk. Human activity, habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change contribute to these challenges. Additionally, a new pest poses a significant threat to our bee population: the invasive yellow-legged hornet from Asia. This predatory insect commonly feeds on other social bees and wasps, including western honeybees. Yellow-legged hornets have been trapped and reported on both Seabrook Island and Johns Island, and they are now being monitored in traps across the area, as it is anticipated that there could be a large-scale impact on local bee populations. You can learn more about this invasive species at https://www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/plant-industry/invasive/quarantines/quarantine-spotlights.html, which also includes a reporting tool for citizen sitings.

Many consider people to be the primary threat to bees. The pesticides we use can lead to paralysis and death among these essential pollinators. Furthermore, habitat destruction from development eliminates natural nesting sites and reduces the diversity of food sources available to bees. Climate change exacerbates these challenges by driving habitat loss and altering flowering times, creating a mismatch between the availability of blossoms and the bees' foraging periods. Additionally, rising temperatures facilitate the rapid spread of mites and viruses, further endangering bee populations.

What can we do to support bee populations? We can create bee-friendly habitats by incorporating diverse plants, providing nesting options, and minimizing pesticide use. If pesticide application is necessary, it's best to spray in the evening when bees are not foraging. Simple actions, like planting nectar-rich flowers and avoiding harmful chemicals, can significantly benefit our bees.

We also extend our gratitude to the beekeepers of Seabrook Island for their efforts in fostering a sustainable community.