Bees are responsible for a significant portion of the global food supply, with roughly one in every three bites of food depending on their pollination services. Beyond agriculture, they support entire ecosystems by enabling the reproduction of wild plants and trees. Despite this immense ecological and economic contribution, bee populations worldwide are declining due to habitat loss, disease, and chemical exposure. Individual actions in yards and communities can directly contribute to their survival and recovery.
Creating a Pollinator-Friendly Garden
The foundation of bee support begins with providing reliable food sources throughout the growing season. Planting native species is particularly beneficial because they have co-evolved with local bee populations, offering the precise nutritional mix of nectar and pollen they need. Aim for a continuous bloom cycle, ensuring that flowers are available from early spring through late fall before the first frost. This prolonged availability prevents seasonal food shortages for active species.
Look for flowers that are simple and open, such as single-petal varieties, which allow easy access to the pollen and nectar. Highly hybridized or “double” flowers often produce less pollen or have complicated structures that make resources inaccessible to many bee types. Diversifying your plantings with a mix of flower shapes and colors can attract a wider variety of the 20,000-plus bee species globally, each with different foraging preferences.
Eliminating Chemical Hazards
The use of certain pesticides in gardens presents a direct threat to bee health, even at low concentrations. Systemic insecticides, such as neonicotinoids, are particularly damaging because the plant absorbs the chemical and distributes it to the nectar and pollen, poisoning the bee’s food source. This exposure can lead to sublethal effects, including impaired navigation, memory loss, and weakened immune function, increasing the risk of colony failure.
Herbicides and fungicides also pose risks by reducing the availability of flowering weeds that serve as food. Avoiding all synthetic chemical treatments in your yard is the simplest safeguard against harming pollinators. Alternatives include employing beneficial insects, such as ladybugs or lacewings, to manage pests, or manually removing problem insects. Always read the labels of any garden product, and avoid those explicitly labeled as “bee-toxic.”
Providing Safe Haven and Resources
Bees require safe places to nest and essential resources like water. Approximately 70% of native bee species are ground-nesters, requiring patches of bare, undisturbed soil for burrowing. Leaving small, sunny areas of your yard unmulched and unplanted provides them with the necessary habitat to raise their young.
The remaining 30% of bees, such as mason and leafcutter bees, are cavity-nesters and will utilize “bee hotels” or houses. If constructing a bee hotel, use untreated wood and drill holes of varying diameters, typically between 3/32 and 3/8 inches, to accommodate different species. The tunnels should be between 3 to 6 inches deep and must be cleaned or replaced annually to prevent the buildup of parasites and disease.
Bees also need water, especially during hot weather. A safe water source can be created by placing a shallow dish or bird bath with clean water in your garden. Filling the container with stones, pebbles, or marbles allows the bees to land safely and drink without the risk of drowning.
Supporting Bee Health Beyond the Garden
Individual purchasing power can extend bee support beyond the confines of your property. Choosing to buy organic produce signals market demand for farming practices that avoid systemic pesticides and harmful chemicals. Seeking out local honey from small-scale beekeepers supports those who maintain healthier, more diverse foraging environments for their colonies.
Community involvement offers a pathway for change that affects larger landscapes. Advocating for your municipality to establish pollinator pathways or reduce the use of chemicals on public lands, such as parks and roadsides, creates wide-scale safe zones. Reducing overall consumption and supporting sustainable businesses indirectly lessens the strain on natural resources and habitats that pollinators depend upon.