KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaicans are being encouraged to protect the island’s bee population, which was displaced and severely affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Not only are they essential for the production of honey but bees are also an important part of food security, responsible for one-third of the world’s food production.

Senior Plant Health and Food Safety Officer with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Francine Webb, noted that damage to flowering plants will significantly impact the island’s bee population.

“I’ve seen a number of people putting out sugar and water solution for the bees. Depending on the area that you are and the level of damage that you would have had, you may see a number of them swarming around. They’re not there to harm you… so don’t be too aggressive towards them. They’re just looking for a source of food,” she told JIS News.

Webb pointed out that individuals may continue to feed bees with a sugar-water solution placed in small saucers or on disposable plates to aid their recovery.

“Our bees are going to also play an important role in getting us back to where we were before the hurricane. They’re important pollinators, and so we have to protect them as well. So be mindful of them,” she further stated

–       JIS