
A major player in the flower pollination game, bees were sacred to many ancient cultures, including the Greeks and the Maya. Today, the bee is often more feared for its stinger than revered for its pollinating ability, leading the ubiquitous insect to a level of notoriety it doesn’t quite deserve.
For instance, you may believe one (or all!) of the following five myths about bees:
1. All Bees Make Honey
Of the Earth’s more than 20,000 species of bees, only about 5 percent are honey bees or sting-less bees that produce honey. The remaining bee species serve as pollinators, and they’re found on every continent except Antarctica.
2. You Can Keep Bees Away with Smart Planting Habits
To a bee, there’s no correlation between home base and the flowers they pollinate. Even if you choose non-flowering plants for your home garden, bees may end up building a nest on your property....