Gardening expert, Carl Grimm, joined us today to discuss bees and all the good they do.

• Bees are generally very docile but have a bad rap because they are often mistaken and blamed for the aggressions of a wasp commonly known as the yellowjacket.
• Bees and wasps do a lot more good than harm, pollinating much of our food crops (mostly bees) and eating our pests for us (wasps).
• To avoid wasp and bee stings, don’t look or smell like a flower or a picnic, don’t throw things at nests, and try not to step on them with bare feet!
• Plenty of traps can help keep wasps away from picnics.
• Nest removal is generally not necessary but if done, it should be by a professional.
• The survival of bees and other pollinators is in serious danger because of pesticides, pests and habitat loss. You can help protect them by planting lots of flowers (especially ones native to your area), and by avoiding pesticides.

For a free factsheet on yellowjackets, and for information on Metro’s natural gardening program, give them a call at 503-234-3000 or visit their website at www.oregonmetro.gov.