Making a difference in today’s world sometimes requires unconventional approaches. Often, we are able to influence and impact communities through the little things we do, creating giant strides through seemingly small actions. Realizing how he can share his passion and help save the world from hunger, Eli the Bee Guy has taken it upon himself to rescue bees all over Southern California. Through his commitment to his mission, he is serving as an inspiration to others to also make a difference in their own way.
Born in Ukraine, Ilya Barkanov, known as Eli the Bee Guy, started rescuing bees as a hobby when he was 15. Years later, he turned it into a full-time job after realizing how important bees are to the global ecosystem and food production. He shared, “We need bees. Without them, we are doomed because 80% of crops rely on bees to get pollinated and reproduce. If bees go into extinction, we will simply die of hunger.”
Eli the Bee Guy is popularly known as “The Bee Whisperer.” His active presence on social media has established him as a bee connoisseur who is passionate about everything related to bees. He educates, informs and entertains his audience through a wide range of content to ensure they understand the importance of bees in the world, knowing well that many people are afraid of them because of the lack of information about what they do. “I help people understand bees better and the things they can do to help the bees. My brand is all about encouraging people to play their part for planet earth,” he said.
Since the brand Eli the Bee Guy came to life, Ilya has attracted attention to himself and his work on social media and has acquired a sizable following on various online platforms. Furthermore, his bee rescue services have expanded to cover multiple areas, including Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County and sometimes, even out of state.
Additionally, beyond saving bees, Eli the Bee Guy strives to point out the importance of considering bees as not just insects but as an integral part of the global ecosystem. “Bees deserve the best as they help keep the world running. I make sure to treat them as humanely and naturally as possible and relocate bees to a safer and more controlled environment, to a beekeeper,” he said.
Over the next few years, he strives to let more people know and pay more attention to bees, emphasizing that saving them will help give crops better chances of surviving and propagating to produce more food for the world. “Getting our planet to the level we desire it to be is a collective effort. We should all work together to take active steps toward making the world better and more conducive for us. Hunger is real, and every little step we take toward ending hunger, counts. Bees will always be important for crops, and it is up to us to treat them with value, dignity and respect,” Ilya said.
