Why pollinators need a home
in your garden.

Most people don't realize that the bees, butterflies, moths
and other insects zooming about in our gardens are some
of the most important creatures on the planet. In their search for a meal of nectar and pollen, they play a critical role in helping plants set fruit and reproduce. It's hard to believe, but an incredible 91% of the estimated 240,000 flowering plant species worldwide, require the help of these pollinators to survive. If there are no insects to pollinate the flowers, there will be no fruit or vegetables and no seed production for the next generation.

Despite the important service pollinators provide, they have been largely ignored and are now threatened by habitat loss, pesticide use and disease. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists 50 pollinator species, including some bats and birds, as threatened or endangered. Wild honeybee populations have dropped 25 percent since 1990. A continuing decline in pollinator activity puts most ornamental plants — as well as much of our food supply into jeopardy. Here are four easy ways you can help — right in your own backyard:

1. Provide an abundant source of food. Include lots of nectar- and pollen-rich plants in your garden, such as old-fashioned flowers and wildflowers. A succession of blooming annuals, perennials and shrubs will ensure nectar and pollen are available throughout the growing season. Remember to also include plants that butterfly larvae feed on, such as dill, fennel and milkweed. The Butterfly Beacon attracts butterflies with a nectar-soaked sponge.
2. Go organic. Many pesticides—even organic ones—are toxic to bees and other beneficial organisms. In the short term, these pesticides may provide a quick knock-down to the attackers. In the long run, you expose yourself, family, pets, wildlife and pollinators to toxic chemicals, and risk disrupting the natural ecosystem. If you do apply a pesticide, make sure you use it carefully and selectively. Never spray when blossoms are open or when bees or other pollinators are present.
3. Provide shelter. Butterflies, bees and other pollinators need shelter to hide from predators, get out of the elements and rear their young. Make your yard more pollinator-friendly by letting a section of lawn grow wild for ground-nesting bees. Allow a pile of grass cuttings or a log to decompose in a sunny place, or leave a dead tree standing to create nooks for butterflies and solitary bees. Artificial nesting boxes also offer a safe place for solitary bees, such as the orchard bee, to lay their eggs.
4. Provide water. A water garden, birdbath or catch basin for rain will guarantee that pollinators can always find the water they need to survive. Butterflies are also attracted to muddy puddles for salts and nutrients, as well as water.

To learn more, read What's the Buzz in Your Garden?