 Did you know that there are over 450 species of native bees in MI!
The kicker is that honey bees are NOT one of them! It's important for beekeepers to remember our native pollinators. Who are our native MI bees? Here's a short list, but I'd also recommend this YouTube video by MSU professor of entomology Rufus Isaacs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2N5DoyRoLI All Seasons Bees: Bumble Bees Sweat Bees Carpenter Bees Spring Bees: Mason Bees Miner Bees Cellophane Bees Cuckoo Bees Summer Bees: *Squash Bees* (my favorite!: https://www.facebook.com/DyceLab/videos/359136995931540) Leafcutter Bees Long-horned Bees Top 10 Things You Can Do To Help Native Pollinators: 1. Provide Habitat: Don't have a turf grass lawn. Put up a native pollinator house. 2. Don't Use Pesticides: Or, if you HAVE to use them, find the least harmful time, location, season, etc. to use them. 3. Plant Pollinator Friendly Plants: And not 1 or 2. Pollinators are much more likely to frequent clusters or bunches of flowering plants. 4. Plant Trees: Trees are the meadows of the sky! Maples and Willows are especially important as early pollen sources while fruit trees (NOT PEARS!!!) provide nectar. 5. Become a Wildlife Gardener and/or Plant Native Plants 6. Adopt a Monarch and Plant Milkweed: Butterflies are important pollinators too! 7. Protect Grasslands and Native Habitat: Through community endeavors and by talking with your local government officials or voting for habitat conservation. 8. Join Conservation Organizations: And donate generously! 9. Post a Yard Sign: To advertise the importance of your pollinator garden. 10. Spread the Word About Native Pollinators on Social Media: Or at your local garden or plant club or on your blog. Comments are closed.
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