Mississippi needs to “bee” better, literally

Mississippi needs to “bee” better, literally



Have you ever had a good local honey? It can not only taste amazing and provide a natural sweetener, it can also help steel your immune system against the natural allergens of your area.

That’s just one reason pollination is a vital process for our ecosystems, but Mississippi could be sadly behind in several factors that some organizations use to measure bee-friendliness.

As we’ve reported before, almost 90% of the world’s wild flowering plants rely on animals like bees for pollination, as well as more than 75% of the world’s food crops. Even 35% of the world’s agricultural land benefits from animal pollination. Not only does this help ensure we have enough food, but it’s also essential for preserving biodiversity.

But according to a study from BestMadHoney*, Mississippi ranks as America’s least bee-friendly state with a score of just 16.94 out of 100.

That’s #50 out of 50.

There are zero Bee City USA affiliates, only two Bee Campus USA affiliates, and the country’s lowest bee-friendly search volume at just 56.38 per 100,000 residents.

That’s a little surprising for a state whose economy relies so much on agriculture. Three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and a little more than one-third of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators to reproduce, according to the USDA. There are more than 3,500 species of native bees that help increase crop yields.

The USDA website says that some scientists estimate that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of animal pollinators like bees, butterflies and moths, birds and bats, and beetles and other insects.

At Mississippi State University, a permanent observation honey bee hive was constructed to supplement several K-12 educational programs held by the entomology department. The observation hive is also used for general tours, college course units, and beekeeping workshops.

The active apiary located on Clay Lyle Entomology grounds is used for beekeeping demonstrations to public school groups from grade 3 and up, as well as teaching bee husbandry to vet school classes and general interest groups. It’s also used to train MSU veterinary students to understand honey bee diseases and apicultural practices.

The University of Mississippi is the state’s other Bee Campus USA Affiliate, having become the 81st educational institution in the nation to be certified as an affiliate in 2020. The school reportedly strives to uphold Bee City USA’s mission to provide pollinators with a healthy habitat with a lot of native plants and free of pesticides.

Ole Miss has designated pollinator gardens at Brevard Hall, Bernard Observatory, Coulter Breezeway, Chancellor’s Butterfly Garden and the Alumni Garden.

Your city can apply to be a Bee City USA affiliate here.

Look at this list of tips from the USDA for how you can make a better environment for pollinators:Complete a Wildlife Assessment. One of the first steps in creating new habitat for pollinators is to first assess and evaluate your existing space. Habitat assessments can be great tools to identify practices where you can improve or confirm good practices you already have in place. The Xerces Society has several different habitat assessment guides for different types of landscapes or specific insects.
Types of Habitat. There are several habitat opportunities and strategies you can use to invite pollinators into your urban farms, gardens, or yards. Pollinator habitat can beautify your space, increase native biodiversity, increase pollination services and biological control of “pest” insects, and provide community engagement and learning opportunities. Often for smaller scale gardens in urban areas, plugs or transplanted plants from pots are preferred over pure live wildflower seeds.
Plant Native Plants. Native plants are considered the best choice because of their abundance of nectar and pollen in addition to being low maintenance, generally pest free, drought tolerant, and ability to control erosion. They are good sources of food and shelter for wildlife, and naturally beautiful.
Plant a continuous food supply. Make sure you have at least 3 different species throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons to provide adequate food when pollinators emerge from and prepare for winter hibernation. Plant in groupings (clumps) of each plant species for a greater impact.
Include a diversity of plants. Different flower sizes, shapes and colors, as well as varying plant heights and growth habits, support a greater number and diversity of pollinators. Include a combination of native plant species, heirloom plants and herbs in your pollinator garden. Common herbs such as rosemary, oregano, basil, marjoram, and borage are excellent pollinator plants. Allow unharvested fruits and vegetables to bolt (go to flower) for added pollinator and beneficial insect food.
Limit or eliminate use of pesticides. A healthy garden with the appropriate plant species and an abundance of pollinators will support natural beneficial insects—reducing the need for pest control.
Install bat boxes. Bats are also pollinators that need our help. Leave snags for habitat or install a bat box. Learn more about the benefits of bats!
Spread Awareness. Educate others about the importance of pollinators and share how you planted for bees, butterflies, birds and other animals at home.





*Seven factors were used to compile the index:Bee City USA affiliates (13.6% weighting)
Bee Campus USA affiliates (13.6% weighting)
ABF state sponsorship level (18.2% weighting)
Colony loss rate (9.1% weighting, inverted)
Percentage of land used for rural and wildlife (18.2% weighting)
Average monthly precipitation (in) (9.1% weighting, inverted)
Bee-friendly search volume per 100,000 people (18.2% weighting)