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20 may - World Bee Day

20 may - World Bee Day

Home of the indigenous Carniolan honey bee

Slovenia is home to excellent beekeepers and the native Carniolan honey bee

We have more than 11,000 beekeepers – each 200 Slovenian is a beekeeper. Slovenia's landscape is enriched by more than 13,000 apiaries and around 180,000 hives of bees, which produce high-quality honey and other products. 

The Beekeeping Association of Slovenia has been striving for many years for the United Nations to declare May 20 as World Bee Day. The proposal was approved at the end of 2017, and thus we celebrated the first World Bee Day on May 20, 2018.

And why exactly May 20?

May is the time of lush blooming and development of nature, as well as the peak activity period for bees in the Northern Hemisphere.

In the southern hemisphere, this is the autumn time of year, when bee products are harvested and the season for honey and honey products begins. At the same time, 20 May is also the birthday of Anton Janša, considered a pioneer of modern beekeeping and one of the greatest experts of his time.

EVERYONE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONSERVATION OF BEES AND OTHER POLLINATORS:

  1. Sow nectar-rich flowers on balconies, terraces and gardens for ornamental purposes.
  2. Buy honey and other bee products from your local beekeeper.
  3. Let's be aware of the importance of bees and make others aware of it. Show your support for beekeepers.
  4. Preserve old meadows with a greater diversity of plants and sow nectar-producing plants in meadows.
  5. Mow flowering plants in meadows only they have finished blooming.
  6. At home, set up a nesting site for solitary bees on your balcony, terrace, or garden. You can make one yourself or buy one from home and garden stores. HERE you can see how to make a nesting site for solitary bees at home.
  7. Allocate suitable agricultural locations for the temporary or permanent placement of bees, so they will have appropriate forage, and our plants will be pollinated and bear richer crops.
  8. If necessary, use bee-safe pesticides and spray in calm weather early in the morning or late in the evening when bees are no longer on the flowers.