Bees face increasing challenges in the UK as changing weather patterns and prolonged draughts reduce the availability of nectar and pollen. Extended dry spells mean fewer flowering plants, smaller harvests for wild and garden flowers, and reduced forage throughout the seasons.

Honeybee colonies and wild pollinators such as bumblebees and solitary bees suffer from lower nutrition, weakened immune responses and reduced reproductive success, while farmers and gardeners see declines in crop pollination and yields.

Supporting bees during draughts requires planting drought-tolerant, nectar-rich species, providing water sources, creating flower-rich corridors and reducing pesticide use. These simple actions help sustain pollinator populations and protect the vital pollination services they provide to UK ecosystems and food systems.