Bees are fundamental to global ecosystems, acting as primary agents for the reproduction of countless flowering plants and many food crops. Approximately one-third of the human diet relies on their pollination services. Unfortunately, bee populations, particularly native wild species, are declining rapidly due to habitat loss, disease, and chemical exposure. Homeowners can address these stressors by transforming their yards into supportive habitats, offering food, shelter, and a safe environment for these beneficial insects.
Designing Your Garden for Pollinators
Creating a continuous food supply is the most direct way to support bee populations in your yard. The most effective approach involves prioritizing native plant species, which have co-evolved with local bees and are better adapted to provide the specific nectar and pollen resources they require. Planting native varieties also typically requires less maintenance and fewer chemical inputs than non-native cultivars.
A strategy for sustaining bees from spring through fall is called “succession planting,” which ensures that flowers are available throughout the entire growing season. Early bloomers like crocuses and willows are helpful for queens emerging from hibernation. Late-season flowers such as asters and goldenrods provide fuel for overwintering and migration. Mixing plant types with overlapping bloom times prevents gaps in the food supply.
Bees require nectar (carbohydrates) and pollen (protein and fat). To accommodate various bee species, select flowers with diverse shapes, such as flat, bowl-shaped, and tubular blooms, which offer accessible landing pads and easy access to resources. Avoid modern hybrid or double-petaled flowers, as they are often bred for appearance and may produce little accessible pollen or nectar. Plant flowers in clusters or “drifts” of three or more of the same species to make them more visible and efficient for foraging bees.
Providing Essential Nesting and Water Resources
Beyond food, bees need secure places to nest, raise their young, and shelter from the weather. The majority of native bees, roughly 70%, are ground-nesting species that create burrows in the soil. You can support these bees by leaving small, sunny, well-drained patches of bare soil free from mulch or heavy vegetation.
The remaining 30% are cavity-nesting bees, such as mason and leafcutter bees, that use existing tunnels in dead wood or hollow plant stems. To provide habitat for these species, leave old, standing plant stems in the garden over winter. Alternatively, create simple bee hotels using drilled wooden blocks or bundles of bamboo or pithy stems. Stems of plants like elderberry, sumac, or raspberry can be cut back in the spring to expose the hollow interior for nesting.
Bees also need a reliable source of water, particularly in hot weather, as they use it to regulate hive temperature and dilute honey for feeding larvae. A safe water source can be created using a shallow dish or birdbath filled with pebbles, marbles, or moss that extends above the water line. This provides a safe place for bees to land and drink without the risk of drowning.
Eliminating Harmful Pesticides and Herbicides
Conventional chemicals pose a direct threat to bee health. Broad-spectrum insecticides, especially neonicotinoids, are harmful, causing sublethal effects like impaired navigation and weakened immune function, even at low concentrations. These systemic chemicals are absorbed by the plant and expose foraging bees through contaminated pollen and nectar.
Herbicides, while not directly targeting insects, harm bees by eliminating their food sources. Common lawn weeds like clover and dandelions are valuable forage, especially in early spring. Furthermore, some herbicides, such as glyphosate, contaminate nectar and pollen, negatively affecting a bee’s gut microbiome and increasing disease susceptibility.
Whenever possible, adopt integrated pest management (IPM) techniques, prioritizing manual removal, physical barriers, and natural predators. If a spray is necessary, use a product like neem oil or insecticidal soap. Always apply it late in the evening when bees are not actively foraging, ensuring the substance dries before the bees return in the morning.