Whether you’re a beekeeper or simply a nature enthusiast, you should know that bees are highly essential to our environment and ecosystem. Unfortunately, the honeybee population is dwindling—they need help, and you can support them. Even if you don’t want to become a beekeeper, there are plenty of other ways to help these insects thrive. Explore these simple ways to make your yard bee-friendly and welcome these superb pollinators into your garden.
Choose Plants That Attract Bees
It’s no secret that bees spend much of their time foraging for nectar, and they rely on nearby plants for this crucial activity. Believe it or not, bees will travel several miles to search for the best plants, trees, and flowers, but this extensive search can increase their chances of dying in the process. With that said, planting nectar-rich and attractive plants in your yard can help the bees in your local area by allowing them to get what they need instead of traveling too far.
Consider adding one or more of the following beneficial plants to your yard:
- Lavender
- Sunflowers
- Milkweed
- Salvia
- Marigold
Avoid Pesticide Use
Pesticides work well to keep unwanted pests from eating or destroying your plants; unfortunately, they can also harm beneficial insects, such as bees and other pollinators. With that in mind, you should try to use natural methods to protect your plants and beneficial insects while keeping invasive pests away from your garden.
Provide a Water Source
Like humans and animals, bees need water to survive. They drink some water but also use it to regulate the temperature within their hives and nourish their larvae. Just as they travel to find nectar-rich plants, bees also travel quite a distance for a reliable water source. However, you can provide them with one in your backyard with little effort. Learning how to set up a bee watering station is one of the best ways to help your local honeybees.
Let a Section of Your Yard Grow Wild
Bees love fields of wildflowers, but they’re not always readily available. Interestingly, bees like messy or wild foliage; hence, they gravitate toward overgrown grassy areas. Although you can’t always let your entire yard grow untamed, you can designate a specific section of your yard to grow wild for the bees. Once the foliage gets too long or crazy, you can trim it back to keep it under control.
With these simple ways to make your yard bee-friendly, you can turn your property into a honeybee paradise. Supporting these wildly important insects is crucial for saving their population.