Join the Pollinator Movement: Your Balcony as an Oasis of Nature and Biodiversity

Enrolling in any beekeeping or wild pollinator course is a good start to entering the world of nature, but regardless, we will try to help you decide to create your oasis of a mini garden with pollinators on your small balcony.
In Zagreb, where the influence of Art Nouveau is very lively, balconies are abundant. Although they may be too small for a dining table, they offer all kinds of possibilities. But let’s start from the beginning. Most people are unaware that honeybees are completely domesticated animals and that the term “wild bees” encompasses all bee species except honeybees, a significant number of which are solitary beings.
Of the 720 species of bees found in Croatia, only a few (including some bumblebee species) are social animals that live in hives. Unfortunately, nearly half of these other solitary bee species are threatened with extinction, while others struggle to coexist in an environment shaped by humans.
The decline in pollinator numbers is an alarming issue, but why is this happening?

The Complexity of Pollinator Decline

Restoring pollinator habitats seems like a complex task, but part of the solution is deceptively simple. In the United Kingdom, 97% of wildflower meadows that supported pollinator populations have disappeared over the last century. It is no surprise that bees and other pollinating insects, such as butterflies and flies, need a place to call home and a reliable source of food. Deprived of these essentials, their survival is at risk. Losing 97% of their habitat must feel like waking up one day to find that 97% of all houses have been destroyed, while all food stores have been replaced by bear dens. This analogy emphasizes the urgency of understanding the impact of environmental changes on pollinator populations.

Join the Pollinator Movement

Whether you have large open terraces or a cramped balcony, there is always something you can do to support pollinators. Soon after forming your little oasis for pollinators, several wild bees will lay eggs in your insect hotel.
Building an insect hotel is a cheap and simple way to provide shelter for homeless solitary bees, allowing you to observe their nesting habits up close. Bee hotels attract female bees, not honeybees, which are truly non-aggressive and will not swarm you. In warm, sunny spots, insect hotels can provide essential warmth for bees as they emerge from winter dormancy. Here are some instructions:

• Use only untreated wood, blocks, boards, logs, or tree branches.
• The hotel should be placed at least one meter off the ground.
• To attract as many species of bees as possible, drill holes of different sizes. Make sure not to drill through the entire block, as the holes need to have a stopping point. Ideal drill sizes range from 2 mm to 10 mm in diameter. Beginners who want to keep things really simple and may have a limited amount of tools can just use a 5/16 drill bit for all the holes in their first hotel.
• Ideally, drill 12-18 holes.
• There are no strict rules about how deep or far apart the holes should be, but it is good to ensure the entry holes are not deeper than the length of a standard drill bit.
• Remove debris from the holes. After drilling, take a piece of sandpaper and smooth the holes. Small debris may not seem dangerous, but rough edges on the entry holes can be fatal for a bee or deter them from using the hole.
• Whatever wood you use for your bee hotel, you will need to replace it every few years, as bees want new tunnels in which to lay their eggs.
• Resist the urge to decorate your hotel by painting it. Natural wood is more appealing to bees.

Start preparing today!

The Outlook for Our Cities

The impact of habitat loss extends beyond agriculture to urban living spaces. With a global focus on pollinator protection, it is important to reassess our approach to landscaping and urban planning. Balconies and gardens can offer a brief respite, but a larger problem remains unresolved.

Let’s Save Pollinators Together

Embracing practices that benefit bees is the first step, but we must expand our vision to create a landscape that supports both people and pollinators. Together, we can turn our cities into havens for pollinators.

Providing support for pollinators is a worthy endeavour that reflects the mutual benefit shared by people and wildlife. Regardless of how big or small your living space is, there are available steps you can take to raise awareness of the vital role of pollinators. By adopting a pollinator-friendly approach, you are joining a growing movement that aims to shape a vibrant future for pollinators, showcasing the extraordinary potential of urban landscapes as biodiversity havens. Embrace and support these vital allies, and together we can transform our homes into habitats that promote the diversity and resilience of our natural world. Are you ready to take the next step on this vital journey to preserve our precious pollinators?
This text emphasizes the importance of supporting pollinators while encouraging readers to join the movement and take practical steps to foster a pollinator-friendly environment. It also urges them to adopt a beehive and support the OPRASHI project.

You can do it too! Follow #OPRASHI for more information.