Nowadays, it’s almost uncommon to spot a bumble bee in your backyard or windowsill. These fuzzy insects are known for their distinct yellow-and-black striped appearance and ability to fly. Unfortunately, the world is losing its bee population, including the bumble bee species. Although there are currently 40 different kinds of bumble bees, they are all at risk due to human interference. See why you should support the bumble bee and what you can do to help them thrive in your area.
How Can We Help the Bumble Bees?
There are several ways you can help protect bumble bees:
- Gardening organically: by removing chemical pesticides, you can help maintain a safe environment for bumble bees to live and thrive.
- Leaving wildflowers to bloom: Consider leaving clover, dandelions, and plantain. These plants are vital to a bumble bee’s diet in the early spring when only a few flowers are available. Plant flowers that bloom at different times and choose flowers high in nectar, such as sunflowers. Also, support bumble bees by leaving patches of the land untouched.
- Plant bee-friendly plants: attract more bees to your area by planting plants rich in nectar and pollen, such as:
- Alliums
- Alstroemeria
- Buddleja
- Cosmos
- Dahlias
- Lavender
- Foxgloves
- Geranium
- Honeysuckle
- Lavender
Bumble Bee Habitat Protection
You can also protect the natural habitat of bumble bees by ensuring you are not mowing your lawn too early in the season. Bumble bees need to survive the winter and may choose to hibernate on your lawn. Before you mow, look for mounds of grass clippings that may indicate a wintering bumble bee colony. To avoid harming them, wait until the end of spring to mow your lawn. Since bumble bees love flowers, you can plant flowers native to your region to support these fascinating bugs. Choosing flowers that bloom at different times of the year is essential.
Start Protecting the Bumble Bees
Bumble bees are an essential part of our ecosystem. They pollinate plants and flowers and have been around for millions of years. If you want to find the right plants to support the bumble bee in your area, or if you want more tips and tricks on bee-friendly gardening we're happy to give you a personal advice. Visit our store in Fergus and reach out to our staff.
