Ways to help bees (and other pollinators)

Ways to help bees (and other pollinators)

by | May 20, 2019 | Awareness, Education, Pollinators, Wildlife Conservation

Bees play a crucial role in the ecosystem and is responsible for pollinating 30% of the global food supply.

Unfortunately, they face many serious threats including: habitat loss, disease and pests (like Parasitic tracheal mites and the Varroa mites), climate change, pesticides and invasive plants.

There are many ways to help bees overcome these threats, regardless of where you live.

Plant pollinator friendly gardens

  • Plant native plants
  • Plant gardens that provide food at different times of the year
  • Make sure the plants and flowers you purchase are not treated with pesticides.
  • You don’t need a lot of space to plant nectar rich food (flowerpots are great too!)
  • Plant trees, they provide food and shelter to pollinators and wildlife

Less lawn!

  • Reduce the size of your lawn or replace it altogether with pollinator friendly plants, shrubs and flowers.

No Spray

Pesticides are bad for people, wildlife and pollinators. Eliminate pesticide use in your yard.

Organic farmers are great resources if you have questions about pesticide alternatives

Bee Habitats

  • Provide solitary bees with bee block condos or leave dead trees/branches in your yard for them to live in
  • Designate an area in your yard for ground nesting bees like bumblebees

Bee Baths

Provide your pollinators with a water source. There are many inexpensive ideas to make bee baths like using a shallow bird bath.

  • Place the bee bath in a shady area
  • Put something in the bee bath like rocks to prevent them from drowning
  • Make sure to change the water frequently

Buy local and support local beekeepers

Buy honey from local beekeepers to support pollinators in your area.

Bee Swarms

Call your local beekeepers if you see a swarm. They will be happy to give the swarm a place to stay!

Help bees, contact beekeepers to catch swarms

Become a Beekeeper

Beekeeping is a very rewarding experience and there are many classes you can take to learn the basics.

You can also learn about keeping mason bees or leafcutter bees!

Extra Resources

The National Wildlife Federation have great resources to find native plants for your area:
https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/About/Native-Plants

The Pollinator Partnership has an array of resources that focus on pollinators:
https://www.pollinator.org/

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