Bees are important for the pollination of many foods. Two honeybee hives can pollinate a whole apple orchard. But the bee population is declining because of insecticide use and a mystery “bee disease” that researchers are still trying to identify. Growers are scrambling to find another way to pollinate their crops in the absence of bees. Though many rent hives, some are testing other methods. Even though they aren’t as effective as bees, these methods are better than losing all your crops. Since apples cannot grow without pollinating the fruit trees, if you don’t have access to bees, try these methods. Encourage wasps and flies to live near your trees. They pollinate apple trees. Bats, birds and butterflies may also assist in pollination. Choose self-pollinating rather than cross-pollinating trees. Apple trees need another type of apple or crabapple tree nearby to pollinate with in order to bear fruit. Now you can buy apple trees that have branches of another type grafted to the tree.