ROUND ROCK, Texas — The recents rains may be a nuisance for people, but the wet weather may help the local bee population.

  • Right amount of rain can be beneficial for bees
  • Predict an uptick in harvested honey 
  • Bees pollinate about $15 billion worth of crops a year

Wildflower Haven’s report on the 2019 Spring Wildflower Season Outlook predicted one of the best wildflower seasons in almost 10 years.

“I’ve run into people who’ve lived here their whole lives and said, ‘This is the year,’ the best year they’ve ever seen the flowers,” Terrah Rosecrans of Round Rock Honey said.  

Bee colonies have dropped dramatically in the past several decades, feeling the sting of pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change. While heavy downpours can keep bees from flying, the right amount of rain can keep the precious pollinators well-fed and foraging.

Beekeepers at Round Rock Honey said a hive can produce anywhere from 70 to 100 pounds of honey. This year, they anticipate an increase in harvested honey.

 

 

“The rain has produced a lot more flowers this year, which means more honey bees and more local native pollinators have food. They don't have to fight and go so far in order to find food. The rain is also important too because bees need water to survive,” Rosecrans said.

Experts said the future of food supply depends on the hard working insects. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, bees pollinate an estimated $15 billion worth of crops each year.

“Otherwise, we would be out pollinating by hand in order to have things like almonds and blueberries. (Bees are) doing their job to support their family but in return they’re also supporting us, with the food. Not a lot of us that take into consideration,” Rosecrans said.