Winter is a hard season for bees. It is not uncommon for bees to die of disease, the cold, or at the hands of humans. Therefore, it is essential to allow leaves to remain, minimize ground disturbances, and check for bee hives and hibernators throughout the fall and winter seasons.

Bees “hibernate” throughout the winter months by using leaves as shelter or as insulation for their underground nest. They huddle together, and form winter clusters to keep warm. Not removing leaves increases the likelihood of bees survival.

Some wonder why bees are crucial. Bees are important because they are a part of the biodiversity on which the world depends on for survival. They provide high-quality food – like honey, royal jelly, and pollen – which can have all kinds of health benefits.

Bees are most known for their honey. Honey is known to help with wound healing, health, nutrition, and more. In ancient Egypt, honey was used for embalming the dead and healing infected wounds. Today, it takes on a less major role with all the same benefits: a natural sweetener.

Bees aren’t the most popular insect, however. Unfortunately, bee allergies are becoming increasingly common. About 2 million people in the United States are allergic to bee stings alone. Allergies like these aren’t preventable, but bee stings are. If a bee is near, don’t overreact and stay calm; swatting at a bee will only make matters worse. The bee is as afraid as the person swatting at them is.

Without bees, it wouldn’t be long before the ecosystem collapsed. They pollinate wild trees and wildflowers, which then support other insects, birds, bats, mammals, and everything else up the food chain with food and shelter.

Pollinators, in general, contribute directly to food security. When bees pick up the pollen of flowers and spread it, they allow plants, including many food crops, to reproduce. This provides better vegetation for animals and more crops for farmers. In fact, one third of the world’s population food production depends on bees.

Bees are a key factor in the world today, but they face problems similar to humans: they’re not meant for the cold. 30,000 to 40,000 bees die each winter, but this is a manageable problem. Because bees depend on leaves, and other sources of protection to keep themselves safe and warm, people should keep the leaves, cut down on ground disturbances, and stay aware of bees' homes. Otherwise, the world will suffer for it.