Film Info

51 minutes
A co-production by ORF and Power of Earth Productions in association with ORF-Enterprise, bm:ukk and Kultur NÖ
Available for Free screenings ONLY
Synopsis:
They are chubbier, fuzzier and more leisurely than their sisters, the bees. They are a lot less aggressive and awe-inspiring than their cousins the wasps. Compared to honey bees, these social insects have long been poorly researched, though they're at home in temperate regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere and South America. A few tropical species form colonies lasting several years, but elsewhere only the summer's new queens survive into next spring. Macro and high-speed cinematography allow us to witness their behavior, understand their biology, experience their unique abilities and leave us in awe of these droll little harbingers of spring. 

Action Items

• Learn why bees are beneficial and why we need them http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/why-bees-are-important-to-our-planet/
• Educate yourself on the facts about bumblebees and read articles and discussions here: http://www.bumblebee.org/
• Interested in helping out bee populations? Start a beehive of your own and become a beekeeper! http://www.worldofbeekeeping.com/free-kit/
• Learn which pesticides are harmful to bee populations: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/agriculture/farming/11239764/Why-pesticides-are-so-harmful-to-bees.html and which are safe: http://www.vanishingbees.com/natural-pesticide-use-in-home-and-garden/
• Learn more about mites and how they can be good or bad news for a colony https://bumblebeeconservation.org/about-bees/faqs/bumblebee-mites/
• When mowing in the spring or summer be mindful of blossoming flowers and mow in stages so the bees have time to look for reserves. Don’t mow all the flowers down at once.
• Plant a bee garden and try to plant late blooming plants as well to help supply bees with food throughout summer. http://thehoneybeeconservancy.org/plant-a-bee-garden/ ​