A Buzz Worth Hearing: What I Learned on World Bee Day

World Bee Day opened my eyes to the wild, wonderful world of bees. From dancing directions to sleeping in flowers, here’s what I learned and how we can help pollinators thrive here in Québec.

Last Tuesday was World Bee Day, and this year I decided to give bees my full attention. What started as a scroll through social media turned into a deep dive into the lives of these extraordinary creatures. I thought I knew bees but it turns out, they’re even more fascinating than I imagined.

Here’s what I discovered: some facts you might already know, some that will surprise you, and all of it deeply relevant to what we care about here at Terroir Montréal: the taste of place, the health of our food systems, and the small, sweet ways we can make a difference.

The Bee Facts You’ve Heard But Are Still Worth Repeating

Bees pollinate nearly one-third of the food we eat. From apples and blueberries to cucumbers and almonds. Without them, local harvests would be dramatically reduced, and your weekly market basket would look much less colourful.

Sadly, bees are in trouble. Pesticides, climate change, monocultures, and habitat loss are putting pressure on bee populations worldwide including right here in Québec. That’s why local beekeepers, many of whom work seasonally with apple orchards and sunflower fields, are playing a crucial role in keeping ecosystems balanced.

Six Things I Didn’t Know About Bees 🐝(But Now You Will Too)

1. Bees Can Recognize Human Faces

Using a mental “map” technique, bees can remember and distinguish individual human faces. Yes, they know who you are.

2. Some Bees Sleep in Flowers

Male bees from species like Anthophora don’t return to a hive. Instead, they curl up in flowers overnight. There are photos. It’s adorable.

3. There Are Over 20,000 Species of Bees

Honeybees are just one species. Most bees don’t produce honey, and many are solitary, ground-dwelling, and extremely specialized.

4. Male Bees Don’t Sting

Only females have stingers. Drones (male bees) can’t sting at all, they’re here for reproduction only.

5. Bees Dance to Communicate

The “waggle dance” shares exact instructions—distance and direction to flowers—based on the sun’s position. No GPS needed. (Aren’t bees amazing!!)

6. Bees Understand the Concept of Zero

Bees are among the few species able to grasp abstract concepts like nothing. Researchers proved this in 2018. (How? Tiny math tests. No joke.)

Montréal’s Urban Buzz: Local Bees and Their Keepers

Our city is surprisingly bee-friendly. Rooftop apiaries, pollinator gardens, and wild green spaces in neighbourhoods like the Plateau, Mile End, and Rosemont offer bees a healthy buffet of blooms.

Organizations like Miel Montréal are helping rewild rooftops and educate citizens on pollinator-friendly practices. (Fun fact: honey from different Montréal boroughs actually tastes different. Urban terroir is real.)

And across the province, local farms and wildflower producers work hand-in-hand with bees, especially in apple-growing regions like Saint-Joseph-du-Lac.

How to Help Bees Without Keeping a Hive

Want to support bees without becoming a beekeeper? Here are 5 simple ways to help pollinators thrive in your backyard or balcony:

1. Plant Native Flowers

Choose plants like goldenrod, echinacea, wild thyme, milkweed, and bergamot.

2. Say No to Pesticides

Even organic or “eco” sprays can disrupt bees’ nervous systems. Let your plants be wild and slightly imperfect.

3. Support Local Honey & Organic Produce

Buying Québec-grown, untreated produce supports healthy farming practices and our local economy.

4. Create a Bee Bath

Fill a shallow dish with water and add pebbles. Bees will land and sip safely.

5. Leave It Messy

Dead stems, patches of clover, and even some dandelions offer habitat and food. Not every corner needs to be trimmed.

A Taste of Honey: Local Favourites from Our Terroir

At Terroir Montréal, we’ve come across some beautiful honey-forward products that deserve a spotlight:

• Miels d’Anicet (Ferme-Neuve, QC) – Raw, unfiltered, terroir-driven honey with seasonal expressions

• Miel Montréal – Urban hives on city rooftops, with subtle flavour changes based on borough

• Les Douceurs du Terroir – Makers of an unforgettable honey lavender shortbread (can’t wait to try it!)

Recipe: Lemon-Thyme Honey Vinaigrette

A little honey goes a long way in this spring-perfect salad dressing:

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp local honey

• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Whisk honey, mustard, lemon juice, and thyme in a small bowl.

2. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking until emulsified.

3. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over arugula, grilled asparagus, or roasted carrots.

Final Thoughts: Slowing Down to Listen

If there’s one thing bees taught me on World Bee Day, it’s this: attention is love. These creatures work tirelessly to hold the natural world together, and yet we rarely stop to see them.

So let’s pay attention. Let’s notice the buzz in the garden, the shimmer in a spoon of honey, the tiny miracle that is pollination. Let’s thank the bees. And plant something beautiful for them in return.

Tags: #WorldBeeDay #MontréalBees #Pollinators #LocalHoney #TerroirQuébécois #BeeFriendlyGardening