Gardeners urged to put tray of water in their yards this weekend

Garden enthusiasts are being encouraged to place a tray of water in their gardens this weekend as an effort to aid the environment after consecutive days of scorching sunshine.

While the prolonged heatwave - f ollowing substantial rainfall in June and early July - has been a welcome change for our gardens, the sweltering conditions can pose challenges for essential pollinators like bees. Bumblebees, along with regular bees and even wasps, are crucial pollinators that play a significant role in our ecosystem.

The World Wildlife Foundation has issued a warning that bumblebee populations are seriously dwindling due to habitat loss from various factors: pesticides, pollution, and of course, climate change. Bumblebees are adorned with a furry coat which aids in protecting them in the UK's typically moderate climate. However, as hot summers become increasingly hotter here, bumblebee populations could face additional strain, warns the WWF, reports the Express .

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This is why gardeners are being requested to leave a tray of water in their gardens this weekend in an attempt to help bumblebees withstand the harsh weather conditions.

Paul De Ornellas, Chief Adviser for Wildlife at WWF, stated: "Bumblebees are crucial for pollinating crops, fruits and plants, and they always make me smile when I see them. They're vital for maintaining a healthy environment and for our food production. Unfortunately, like many insects, bumblebees are in decline due to habitat loss linked to land use change, pesticides, and pollution, all made worse by climate change."

"As temperatures rise, bumblebees are moving north to look for more suitable environments, but sadly some species could find themselves with nowhere left to go."

"Bumblebees also have a furry coat and much prefer cooler climates as they can easily overheat and become unable to fly or forage. They also struggle in times of extreme heat as the flowers providing them with nectar and pollen may start wilting and drying."

He advised that gardeners should, as well as planting flowers in shaded areas, place a tray of water in the garden to help bumblebees cool off.

He added: "Flowering plants in shady areas will be a welcome relief for bumblebees. If you see a sleepy bumblebee on the pavement or a windowsill in the hot sun, they can be carefully transported to a flower in a shady area if safe to do so."

"Provide a shallow tray of water, with pebbles, branches or bark above the water level for bees to rest on as they drink."