![]() Pesticides can kill beneficial insects along with harmful ones. Groups of plants are easier for them to locate and also improve their foraging efficiency. Bees and other pollinators prefer feeding from a group of the same type of plant.Bees land on the stones and are able to safely and easily reach the water. Another idea is to fill a shallow tray or saucer with stones and just enough water to partially cover them. Good options include a birdbath or a small natural or artificial pond with floating water plants. They will drink from almost any water source that gives them good footing so they don’t fall in. ![]() Consider leaving a few areas of bare soil or a pile of sand for ground-nesting bees. Bee nesting boxes, filled with bamboo, reeds, twigs and straw, can be safely located almost anywhere, since native bees only sting as a last resort. Some native bees use dead trees, dry twigs and hollow reeds for nesting. If possible, allow a few areas in your yard to “go wild”. A yard with layers of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and ground covers provides many more shelter and nesting options than a half-acre of lawn. The more varied your landscape, the more attractive it will be to pollinators. The North American Pollinator Partnership Campaign offers free, region-specific guides tailored to 32 different areas in the U.S. Which plants are best? It depends where you live. Planting a diversity of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals will ensure your yard provides a dependable supply of food from one season to the next. Pollinators need access to pollen and nectar from early spring through late fall. Flowering weeds have been shown to attract 4 times more pollinators than domesticated plants. Native plants should also be included because they attract and sustain a greater number and wider diversity of pollinators. The list includes many garden favorites such as alliums, asters and poppies. Gardeners can support pollinators by growing flowers that are rich in pollen and nectar. Some of it is carried onto the next flower they visit. While they are feeding, pollen sticks to their bodies and is moved around on the flower. Pollinators visit flowers to drink nectar or gather pollen. Other native pollinators include butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, hummingbirds and some species of bats.įOOD. They typically nest and lay their eggs in the ground or in stems and sticks. ![]() Most species are solitary, but some form colonies. there are more than 4000 species of native bees, including bumblebees, mason bees and leafcutter bees. They work longer hours, tolerate harsher weather and pollinate a much wider range of flowering plants. Native bees are more efficient pollinators than honeybees. ![]() Honeybees are good pollinators and especially effective at pollinating fruits, vegetables and nuts. They were introduced to North America from Europe almost 400 years ago. Honeybees are social bees and the only ones that live in hives and produce harvestable honey. Many are uniquely adapted to pollinate certain types of plants, which makes protecting pollinator diversity extra important. Thousands of different species are responsible for pollination. Home gardens can provide safe havens for wild and domestic bees. These pollinators need our help as they struggle to overcome habitat loss, pesticides, diseases and other environmental stresses.
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