1: GO NATIVE
WHAT ARE NATIVE PLANTS?
Plants that are naturally occurring in a specific geographical location and are adapted to the soil and climate of the area.
WHY SHOULD WE PLANT NATIVE SPECIES?:
Native species are more robust, require less water, are less prone to disease or pests, and have become mutually adapted with pollinators through millions of years of partnership. Please read the article HERE for an eye-opening view on what could happen should insects become extinct and how native plants/other pollinator conservation strategies can save them!
2: BE DIVERSE
WHY SHOULD OUR PLANTS BE DIVERSE?:
Diverse plants will increase the diversity of pollinators in your garden and incentivize those pollinators to keep coming back throughout the seasons.
TIP!
Providing blooms from early spring through late fall to help provide food and habitat needs for pollinators to survive through the changing seasons.
Tips in Attracting Different Pollinators
BEES
Tip 1: Bee diversity increases with plant diversity and floral abundance.
Tip 2: Plant nectar plants in order to attract bumblebees.
Tip 3: Consider planting echinacea, bee balm, and clover. There are many options to explore when it comes to attracting bees!
BUTTERFLIES
Tip 1: Choose a wide array of colors(different species have specific color preferences)
Tip 2: Include species that will support butterflies in their adult AND larval stages
Tip 3: Click here for a more detailed explanation of specific butterfly and moth species!
3: BE INFORMED
THE FACTS:
Foraging bees can intake pesticide through direct contact on their integument(the external layer of an organism) by drinking toxin tainted nectar and consuming insecticide-covered pollen. In fact, a study done in 2010 across apiaries in North American orchards recovered over 120 agrochemicals(pesticides, fertilizers, etc) in honeybees pollen and wax(Mullin et al, 2010).
THE ISSUES:
Consequences of pesticide/fertilizer exposure to bees:
- Death
- Navigation trouble after foraging
- Loss of flight ability
- Jerky and/or wobbly movements
- Paralysis
- Secondary effects such as: Toxins being brought into the nest, problems building nests/laying eggs
- All of these combined ultimately results in the decline of pollinators
THE SOLUTION:
The best practice for small to medium homes, schools, or local pollinator gardens is to avoid using pesticides completely. Don’t worry, though, there are still ways in which you can protect the garden you have spent so hard working to build.
THE ALTERNATIVES:
Beneficial Insects
Water
Mosquito Control
Expect and Accept
Friendlier Chemicals
Beneficial Insects
Encourage native predators of your pests through a diverse garden habitat that includes plant species favorable to the predator. Some species are also available commercially online as live specimens or eggs.
Ex: The green lacewing larvae can consume 200 or more insects or insect eggs a week during their three week development period! Click here for more information on beneficial insects.
Water
Try removing pests by spraying them with water or use gloves to remove by hand if the pests are few. Aphids(a.k.a greenfly or blackfly) can oftentimes be removed with a strong spray of water from a simple garden hose.
Mosquito Control
Removing Water Method:
Mosquitos can be quite the nuisance and have been known to transmit harmful diseases. Luckily, you can reduce their presence in your garden by removing English Ivy, upturning wheel barrows/large unused pots, covering kiddie pools, and checking woodpile tarps for water collection. It is essential to remove still areas of water as they provide the perfect conditions for mosquitoes to breed.
Oil Method:
Cedar oil or citronella oil on outdoor furnished areas to discourage mosquitoes.
Expect and Accept
Completely removing all pest activity in your pollinator garden would not only be extraordinarily difficult, but it is often not necessary. Having a small number of pests in your garden can actually be a sign that you are doing a good job. As long as the pest populations are not getting out of hand or becoming a detriment to visiting pollinators, it’s okay to leave them be.
Friendlier Chemicals
If you do choose to use a chemical on your garden, make sure that it is a friendlier alternative such as neem oil or insecticidal soaps.
CAUTION
YOUR CHOICE OF PLANT SPECIES WILL ULTIMATELY DICTATE THE TYPE, FREQUENCY, AND DIVERSITY OF POLLINATORS THAT WILL VISIT YOUR GARDEN
ADDITIONAL RESEARCH
Systemic Insecticides, the Unknown Pesticide Threat
Definition: A systemic pesticide means that once the toxins are absorbed(often applied as a seed treatment, foliar spray, or root treatment) into the plant, it will then travel through its vascular system: making its way all throughout the plant.
Why is This Concerning?: Often times, that toxins put into these pesticides were designed to mimic those found in nicotine. When these toxins travel through the plant and reach the flower/pollen the chemicals negatively effect the pollinators who eat or use the leaf portion of the plant.
How Can I Avoid This?: Unfortunately, unless commercial nurseries advertise their pesticide use in the phases of a plant’s life, it is hard for consumers to be informed and wise when purchasing plants. You can, however, click here for more information on nicotine based pesticides and BE INFORMED.