Podcast

Looking after our bees with Gill Perkins

Under Gill’s leadership, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust is on a mission to keep our bumblebees buzzing by building a huge 10,000 hectares of sustainable, bee-friendly habitat. A fascinating fount of all knowledge regarding the not so humble bumblebee, listen in as Gill shares her love and passion for these prolific pollinators.

Stream the episode below, or download the recording via iTunes or Spotify

Inside the episode:

  • Gill shares how she first caught the bumblebee bug.
  • What came first? The flower or the bee?
  • Gill explains the difference between honeybees and bumblebees.
  • Gill explains why we have to import bumblebees to the UK.
  • What would our diets look like if we didn’t have pollinators? How would our landscapes change?
  • Why does organic farming benefit bumblebees?
  • Gill shares how we can look out for bumblebees in our gardens.
  • Why are honeybees terrible pollinators?
  • Gill shares the easiest bee-friendly plants to have around the home.
  • Why do bumblebees pollinate? What’s in it for them?
  • Gill explains why we should never feed a struggling bee honey and what to do instead.
  • Gill shares the amazing work that the Bumblebee Conservation Trust is doing.
  • What role do butterflies play in pollination? Who are our nighttime pollinators?
  • Is it true that when a bumblebee stings you it will die?

Resources mentioned in the episode: