Northwest Florida Bees & Their Honey Save the Day

BAY COUNTY, FL - In Northwest Florida, over 300 bee species, including honey bees and native solitary bees like bumblebees and carpenter bees, play a critical role in pollinating crops such as blueberries, watermelons, and cucumbers, supporting the region’s agriculture and ecosystems. However, during the "June Gap"—a period between spring and summer blooms when nectar is scarce—bees face challenges finding food. 

As one beekeeper advises on SaveTheBees, “During the June Gap, please don’t leave fruit out for bees... While offering fruit might seem like a kind gesture, it often ferments quickly in the sun, developing harmful bacteria that bees can carry back to the hive.” Instead, providing shallow dishes of clean water with stones or twigs for safe landing, and a pinch of pink Himalayan sea salt for essential minerals, supports bee health without risking colony contamination. 

Local honey from Northwest Florida’s beekeepers offers health benefits, including potential relief from seasonal allergies due to trace amounts of local pollen, which may help build immunity when consumed regularly. It also serves as a natural energy booster and antioxidant-rich sweetener. To support bees, plant native wildflowers like black-eyed susans or coral honeysuckle, avoid pesticides, and buy local honey to sustain beekeepers and promote a thriving ecosystem.