This and That
Below you can find information on a variety of topics relevant to beekeeping and supporting native pollinators.
Have you ever heard of a pollinator watering station? Honeybees in particular rely on water in the summer to regulate the temperature of their hive, think of it as "bee ac". They collect the water and bring it back to the hive where the bees work together fanning to maintain the correct temperature for brood rearing (raising bee larva). It not just honeybees, though. All pollinators rely on water for their survival. With this simple DIY you can help support pollinators in your own backyard by offering a valuable resource. Not only will this simple act support our precious pollinators but it will bring life and color to your backyard for you to enjoy.
save the pollinators.
support the honeybees.
Save the Bees
With these simple acts you can help support honeybees and native pollinators alike.
Natural Patch & Lawn Reduction
A natural patch is an area of your yard left intentionally wild. You may want to add flowers, native plants or grasses. Though simply by leaving a wild space you will offer a safe haven for pollinators. People sometimes limit themselves by believing that it has to be perfect or it has to be natives, but the reality is, it just has to exist. Some native pollinators need undisturbed ground to safely nest, no fancy plants required! If you want to add a garden or do natives you can always add that later and fine tune your practices as you go. By reducing your lawn space and creating intentional spaces for pollinators you will become part of the unbroken chain of not only resources but also habitat for these important insects.
Delay the Mow & Leave the Leaves
Chances are you have heard, "leave the leaves" its a message is straighforward and meaningful. Theres a second part, though. Delay the first mow. Just because you hear your neighbors firing up their mower it does not mean that the bugs are awake yet. Our pollinators often require a stretch of warm days before they come out of hiding. If you clear your garden or mow your lawn too early you will disturb the very bugs you spent all winter protecting. Furthermore when you mow too early you take away the valuable early spring resources the pollinators rely on. If your yard is covered in things like Clover, Henbit, Violets, and Dandelions you will find your lawn gains height much slower, is booming with color, and most importantly is full of life. See how far into May you can let your lawn go!
Skip the Pesticides and Herbicides
Pesticides don't just kill the bugs you want them to, they kill the ones you don't. Challenge your thinking on pest management and consider other options. Research the pests you are dealing with. Determine if they threaten the environment or pose a risk to you or your family. Pollinators aren't just butterflies and bees, they are also wasps and flies. You may be surprised how your mindset towards pests changes as you read more about them. This same mindset applies to herbicides. Do we need to kill dandelions? Does a lawn need to be the traditional grass lawn in order to prevent erosion? As it turns out, a more wild and natural lawn require less water and less upkeep than a traditional lawn. They also offer food for our pollinators and add color to our lives. Herbicides harm insects, and the plants we use herbicides on are the very plants that would support these insects. By skipping the herbicides you can make a serious impact.