In 2006, an alarm sounded
concerning the health of honeybees when a Florida beekeeper discovered 400 of
his hives were empty. Similar reports about disappearing bees came in from
across the country.
Even though historical
records tell us these insects have abandoned hives over the centuries,
researchers were concerned because so many bees were vanishing so quickly. They
feared a new disease was to blame.
Colony Collapse Disorder was
the name given the decline, and over the years, fingers have been pointed at
many potential culprits including parasitic mites, pesticides, immune system
issues, stress from overwork, and poor nutrition.
After extensive research it
appears CCD is a multi-pronged condition with no singular cause. But because a
large percentage of the world’s flowering plants depend on pollinators, the
search for answers continues.
Home gardeners can land a hand
Various species of bees,
along with moths, butterflies, birds, bats and other animals are pollinators.
The pollen (powderlike material from the male parts of flowers) they move
between flowers of the same species results in fertilization, enabling plants
to produce blooms, seeds or fruits.
Gardeners can play an
important role in helping pollinators like bees increase their numbers by
offering essential food, water and shelter. Even those who don’t have a garden
can participate by planting window boxes and containers with bee favorites.
The first step is to choose
plants for your garden that supply a diversity of nectar and pollen throughout
the growing season. Bees are partial to
plants living in their own habitats, so choose wildflowers and natives whenever
possible. Not sure which natives flourish near you? Visit www.pollinator.org, type in your zip code
on the Planting Guide page, and you’ll be able to download a PDF with specific
recommendations for your area.
There is also a helpful Bloom
Period guide so you can have something flowering from spring to fall. Native plant societies can offer
additional guidance.
Beyond natives
If natives aren’t readily
available, you can find bee-approved choices at most local nurseries and garden
centers.
(Before buying, ask if their plants have been bred
with neonicinoids, pesticides that can harm bees.)
Pesticide-free verbena, rudbeckia, yarrow, salvias, coneflowers
and flowering herbs are all good choices. Catmints are particularly useful
because they will continue to bloom deep into fall with regular trimming.
Heirlooms from grandmother’s
garden such as daisies, hollyhocks, asters, and old-fashioned roses are
especially attractive to bees. (Flat flowers like daisies and single roses make
it easier for bees to collect pollen.) Even veggies can be part of the plan:
pollinators will make a beeline for cucumber and squash flowers.
Colors and clusters
Entomologists
studying bees have learned they can see four colors – yellow, blue, bluish
green (which is how they view white) and violet. They perceive red as black. So
when considering plant varieties, your palette should include the blue, yellow
and purple flowers bees find appealing.
Choose a sunny location and
set out your plants in groups. Again, be sure to stagger bloom times so there
will be food available throughout the year. And avoid using pesticides that can
be toxic to bees.
Water and shelter
Although we rarely see them
taking a drink, bees appreciate gardens that offer a source of water. It can be
as simple as filling a shallow dish with small stones and twigs so bees can
land and rest while drinking. A birdbath also offers a dependable destination
for bees to take a sip when necessary. Be sure to use clean, chemical free water,
and replace supplies regularly.
According to the USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service, there are over 5,000 different species of
native or wild bees living in the US. These bees don’t live in hives like
honeybees but in logs, dead tree limbs, even in holes in the ground.
As part of the garden, leave
an area of bare dirt for ground nesters. You can even build your own shelter by
drilling holes in an untreated wood block. The holes should be 3” to 5” deep
and approximately ¼” in diameter. Allow an inch between each hole. Choose a
site for your “nest” that is protected as much as possible from wind and rain,
under the eaves of a shed, for example.
These habitats, along with access
to water and bee friendly plants will create an environment that will soon have
your local pollinators buzzing.
I first wrote this article in March, 2015 for The Christian Science Monitor.
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