Butterfly in the Kleinwalsertal | © Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen | Photographer: Oliver Farys

15 Jun. 2018 · Summer Activities
Hiking on rainy days | © Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen | Photographer: Dominik Berchtold
Louisa Hieke

Putting the facts on the table!

New projects raise questions that need to be answered - we aksed our press spokesman Elmar Müller, who launched BE[E]Kleinwalsertal. Read below what he told us...

With the beginning of the summer season 2018 the wave of the BE[E]Kleinwalsertal project has started. Flower seeds were distributed, we diligently worked on the project and hashtags like #beekleinwalsertal were buzzing on social media channels. Projects have already started, events have taken place and flowers are beginning to blossom ...
But what does all this mean and are we now exposed to more hazards from bees and insects? We collected all questions to clarify.

Marmot in the Kleinwalsertal | © Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen | Photographer: Frank Drechsel

Could that be happening?

  • Will it crawl and whir at every corner in Kleinwalsertal once every blooming garden is is set up?

Insects and wild bees are vital to our survival - about 1/3 of our food depends on pollination by insects. The protection of bees, wild bees, bumblebees & Co. should be very important to us. But no, it will certainly not crawl and whir everywhere.

  • Is it possible for wasps to multiply through the BE[E]Kleinwalsertal Project?

Not more or less than before.

  • What if suddenly more bees are in the valley and sting?

In our areas there is only the very friendly Carnica breed. There are very few stingers among the roughly 500 wild bee species that exist in our latitudes - so there is no such thing.

  • So when I eat my cake on the terrace, I am not in danger of a bees attack?

No way! Incidentally, more of the wasps are interested in your cake.

Cow | © Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen | Photographer: Frank Drechsel

Know how and future plans...

  • What happens to the insect hotel and the insects in winter?

Part of the insects spend the winter in the insect hotel, where they lay their brood. Most wild bees are loners. Many also hide in the ground before winter.

  • Why are not lush green meadows in the flower garden anymore at the Walserhaus?

In the flowering garden we want to achieve the greatest possible biodiversity of the plants. This succeeds only on lean ground. This is also the reason why turf and humus were removed and pebbles and sand plowed. Thus, we have prepared the soil for biodiversity. Now comes seeds and then we hope that they feel and develop many different plants.

  • Does this require care in the summer? And who does that?

A bee and insect garden should be as natural as possible. Mowing the lawn is not necessary because the flowers may gather and the meadows are mowed only once in the fall. Thus, the garden after the creation and the growing time with little effort to be maintained. Here we are perfectly supported by the community gardeners and maybe also by one or the other member of the garden tribe table.

  • In case the insect hotel gets wet will the insects and bees drown in their honeycomb?

The insects can take good care of themselves. But it is important that the content of the honeycomb is not constantly wet. Pay attention to this when building and filling - then the insects feel perfectly well.

  • Will there be a BEEcareful Kleinwalsertal project in 2019, 2020, etc.?

Naturally! The project BE[E]Kleinwalsertal is not just for a short time, but for many years. It is meant to inspire people to participate and my vision is that in a few years' time we have created many additional flowering areas in our beautiful valley.

Thank you, Elmar!

We are curious to see what happens to the plant campaign, the flower gardens and the smallest hotel in Kleinwalsertal. I have already planted the seed mixture in my garden to set an example and I am sure that we all look forward to new, colorful flower fields in Kleinwalsertal.

Incidentally, you can simply order the seed sachets and perhaps even harvest a jar of honey! >>> more information

Filling the Insect Hotel gourmet days 2018 | © Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen

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