What are pollinator's?
Some plants are self pollinating, while others can be pollinated by wind or water, but many flowering plants must be pollinated by bees, butterflies, and other animals (1). Pollinators other than bees and butterflies are wasps, ants, flies, midges, mosquitoes, beetles (mess and soil pollinators), and moths. Bees pollinate more than any other kind of pollinator. (2). Studies suggest that bees and butterflies are becoming endangered so it is very important to plant flowering plants which will attract them "Biologists fear several butterfly and bumble bee species have disappeared from parts of their range, including the once common western bumble bee.
Why are pollinators in trouble?
It appears that habitat loss and pesticide poisoning account for much of the population declines. We can do our part to support pollinators by creating pollinator friendly gardens and protecting wildlife habitat".(1).
Why are pollinators in trouble?
It appears that habitat loss and pesticide poisoning account for much of the population declines. We can do our part to support pollinators by creating pollinator friendly gardens and protecting wildlife habitat".(1).
Why Do We need Pollinators?
Over 75% of all plants are pollinated by animals.
Most plants cannot produce fruits and seeds which produce food for people and wildlife, without the assistance of pollinators.
Many seeds which don't get eaten will usually produce new plants which in turn, helps maintain the plant population (3).
Recent studies of pollinators in North America done by the National academy of Sciences discovered that honey bees and other pollinators (native to North America) populations are quickly declining. The decline of wild North American honey bees and pollinators is caused by habitat loss and degradation. Managed bee declines is mostly linked to diseases, and introduced parasites and pathogens (3).
Most plants cannot produce fruits and seeds which produce food for people and wildlife, without the assistance of pollinators.
Many seeds which don't get eaten will usually produce new plants which in turn, helps maintain the plant population (3).
Recent studies of pollinators in North America done by the National academy of Sciences discovered that honey bees and other pollinators (native to North America) populations are quickly declining. The decline of wild North American honey bees and pollinators is caused by habitat loss and degradation. Managed bee declines is mostly linked to diseases, and introduced parasites and pathogens (3).
What Plants Attract Pollinator's?
When selecting pollinator plants you should try to select wildflowers and plants that are native to your area because non native plants may not provide the proper nutritional needs for pollinators which are native to your area.
You should plant flowers that grow throughout the growing season to make sure your pollinators have a steady supply. For example, you could plant "willow, currant, and Oregon grape for spring and aster, rabbit brush and goldenrod for fall flowers".
One way to find out which species of plants are native to your area which attract pollinators is to use the Native Plant Finder Tool https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/About
Scroll down to find out more about what flowers Bees and Butterflies prefer to pollinate, most asked questions and answers about pollinators, and watch our featured video.
You should plant flowers that grow throughout the growing season to make sure your pollinators have a steady supply. For example, you could plant "willow, currant, and Oregon grape for spring and aster, rabbit brush and goldenrod for fall flowers".
One way to find out which species of plants are native to your area which attract pollinators is to use the Native Plant Finder Tool https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/About
Scroll down to find out more about what flowers Bees and Butterflies prefer to pollinate, most asked questions and answers about pollinators, and watch our featured video.
Featured Video: Plant Pollination-How to Encourage Pollinating Bees Into your garden
shop Flowers that attract Butterflies & Bees-Best Buys
Wildflower seeds and plants that attract butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects.
What Kind of flowers do bee's prefer to pollinate?
Bees have a clear preference for blue, purple, and yellow flowers with sweet fragrances. They can actually see vivid ultraviolet colors like the kind found on buttercup flowers and black eyed Susan's (1).
What kind of flowers do Butterflies prefer to pollinate?
"Butterflies favor platform-shaped sunflowers and asters, but will feed on a diversity of nectar-rich flowers from violets to service berry shrubs. They prefer red, purple, or yellow flowers with sweet scents. Butterflies love warm, sunny, and windless weather" (1).
Will pollinator bees sting me?
Move slowly around bees. Don't go near bees who are swarming. Female Bees generally only sting if they feel threatened. Male Bees do not sting.
What Temperature Do Honey Bees forage best at?
Honey bees forage best from 60 to 90 F or 15 to 32 C (USDA, 2018).
Will Pesticides and Herbicides kill Bees, Butterflies, & Other Pollinators?
Yes. It is best not to use pesticides and herbicides as they will most certainly kill bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Why You shouldn't use weed cloth or mulch in a pollinator garden
Most Northern bees nest under ground (around 70 percent) so using weed cloth or mulch can trap or suffocate them.
What can I use for Bee nesting materials?
"Make small piles of branches to attach chrysalis or cocoons. Provide hollow twigs, rotten logs with wood-boring beetle holes and bunch grasses and leave stumps, old rodent burrows, and fallen plant material for nesting bees. Leave dead or dying trees for woodpeckers" (1).
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This website created by Rev.Penny Dean
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This website created by Rev.Penny Dean
References:
1. (2018). Fs.fed.us. Retrieved 18 February 2018, from https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/documents/AttractingPollinatorsV5.pdf
2. 7 Surprising Insect Pollinators. (2018). ThoughtCo. Retrieved 18 February 2018, from https://www.thoughtco.com/insect-pollinators-that-arent-bees-or-butterflies-1967996
3, Pollinators Home Page - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2018). Fws.gov. Retrieved 18 February 2018, from https://www.fws.gov/pollinators/
4. "About - Native Plants Finder." Nwf.org. n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2018. <https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/About>
5. Plant Pollination - How to Encourage Pollinating Bees into Your Garden. (2018). YouTube. Retrieved 18 February 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuAE4riYuR0
6. Page 2 : USDA ARS. (2018). Ars.usda.gov. Retrieved 19 February 2018, from https://www.ars.usda.gov/midwest-area/ames/plant-introduction-research/docs/pollinators-at-pi/page-2/
1. (2018). Fs.fed.us. Retrieved 18 February 2018, from https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/documents/AttractingPollinatorsV5.pdf
2. 7 Surprising Insect Pollinators. (2018). ThoughtCo. Retrieved 18 February 2018, from https://www.thoughtco.com/insect-pollinators-that-arent-bees-or-butterflies-1967996
3, Pollinators Home Page - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2018). Fws.gov. Retrieved 18 February 2018, from https://www.fws.gov/pollinators/
4. "About - Native Plants Finder." Nwf.org. n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2018. <https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/About>
5. Plant Pollination - How to Encourage Pollinating Bees into Your Garden. (2018). YouTube. Retrieved 18 February 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuAE4riYuR0
6. Page 2 : USDA ARS. (2018). Ars.usda.gov. Retrieved 19 February 2018, from https://www.ars.usda.gov/midwest-area/ames/plant-introduction-research/docs/pollinators-at-pi/page-2/