What is Pollination and Why Is It So Important?

pollination

pollination

At D-Tek Live Bee Removal, we’re the experts in live bee removal in San Diego because we know how to take care of bee removal safely and effectively. We take pride in knowing that when we’re called upon to help a customer, we’re both solving their problem and saving a hive from potential harm. Why? Because these buzzing insects are not only incredible creatures once you get to know them, but also incredibly vital to our ecosystem. And it’s all because of pollination. 

Pollination refers to how pollen is transferred from one plant to the receptive stigma of the same or other plant of the same species. This results in the production of fertile seeds that allow the plant to reproduce. Enter bees and other pollinators. 

Whether it’s due to our striped friends, wind, butterflies, bats or other insects and animals, plants rely on external forces since they can’t complete the process on their own. It’s a natural relationship and a necessary process that must happen in order to produce flowers, crops and other important plants. 

The Many Benefits of Pollination

Bees alone carry an incredible responsibility since they’re one of nature’s best pollinators. In general, pollinators help 180,000 different plant species reproduce and help produce over 1,200 important crops. With 180,000 plant species on the line, it’s easy to see why this is so important for the environment. 

The reproduction of these species contribute to vital biodiversity — the wide variety of plants and animals found in a certain area — of forests and other ecosystems. Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem productivity, nutrients and food resources for different animals within the habitat, contributes to climate stability and so much more. Humans, in particular, rely on biodiversity for food, medicines as well as protection against natural disasters. 

It is estimated that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of pollinators like bees. And, honey bees deserve an extra round of applause for performing more than 80 percent of all pollination of cultivated crops. Our agriculture relies heavily on our symbiotic relationship with bees, and we would likely lose a great many of the foods we love to eat without the help of bees. 

Grocery-store finds like apples, avocados and blueberries would go missing from shelves without bees. More than half of the world’s fats and oils also come from animal-pollinated plants, including canola oil, sunflower oil and more. Farmers are continuing to grow crops such as fruits, nuts, and cocoa that require pollination due to such high demand. Even many that are not directly pollinated by honey bees still benefit from the inadvertent effects of pollination.

This benefit to our lives extends well beyond just food. Think of the many plant and floral species that we look to for medicines and herbal remedies. As one example, according to the Center for Biological Diversity, plant-derived anti-cancer drugs save at least 30,000 lives per year in the United States alone. Without bees and their helpful pollination process, we could very well lose access to these necessary medicines.

Bees hold an incredibly important place in our ecosystem. Their services ensure food and resources for a variety of species and help carry out environmental processes that otherwise might not happen. Unfortunately, bee populations are in decline due to factors like climate change, use of pesticides, pollution, and new predators coming into the mix — like the murder hornets you may have heard of recently. 

Call D-Tek Live Bee Removal in San Diego 

It is becoming increasingly important that we work to conserve our honey bee friends to avoid potential environmental consequences. That’s why the safe removal and relocation of bees when they’ve settled in an unsafe area is key. When you see a hive on or around your home, do not try to remove it yourself. You’ll risk not only harming yourself, but also the important and vulnerable bees inside. Give us a call and let us help remove them safely and swiftly. We’ll help bring them to a new home where they can thrive and continue their important job in our environment.