The humble bee has gained a lot of press in the last few years – not least because most of the country’s bee species are facing a very real threat of extinction, which say experts, could have catastrophic results for the well being of our planet and all it’s fragile ecosystems.

The honey bee is one bee species that gets much of the limelight – it’s role as essential food producer and pollinator is one that has been much publicised, we’ve even featured it on our blog.

But, did you know that there are over 180 different species of bee here in Wales? The other species of bees vary from the busy bumble bees (like the honey bee) who live in social colonies with a queen bee to rule the roost, to the solitary bees who work alone to do their own foraging and nest building.

However, in the last few decades, seven species of bee have already been wiped out. The great yellow bumblebee was last recorded in 1974, the short-haired bumblebee was last seen in 1956 and the armed nomad bee in 1854. And some species are on the verge of extinction, like the Mason Bee, which hasn’t been seen anywhere in the UK apart from on the tip of the Llyn Peninsula.

Experts say that one of the main problems is that bees are facing hugely changing landscapes – flowers provide the pollen which is essential food for bees – but in the UK alone, 97% of wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930’s due to urbanisation. So, nature hot spots like grassland, dunes and even regenerated industrial areas are becoming important home sites for bees, of all kinds. These sites provide essential habitat for bees, so that in some areas, bee populations are surviving.

There are small ways you can help the bees too. Steps like not mowing grass too often (to encourage dandelions), allowing wildflowers and weeds in some areas as well as allowing old logs, bark and sticks full of holes and hiding places for bees. How many bees will you see in your garden?