3 Things in Your Garden That Could Be Harming Bees and Butterflies – Fix Them Now for More Wildlife, Flowers and Summer Color
Discover how to make your yard more pollinator-friendly
We all know just how important pollinators are to our local ecosystem, biodiversity, and growing crops. But, even with the best intentions, it's easy to unknowingly make gardening mistakes that harm pollinators.
You don't have to hand over your entire yard as a pollinator garden to support bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects. Just making conscious choices when tending to your plants can go a long way in supporting wildlife and ensuring your outdoor space is a safe haven for them.
From using unnecessary chemicals to removing vital habitat, there are several errors that can put pollinators in harm's way. Here, we talk through the top three most common mistakes and what to do instead to achieve your dream garden while keeping buzzing bees and beautiful butterflies safe.
1. Only Planting Hybrids
Hybrid plant species are beautiful, but they aren't always the most resourceful for pollinators in search of nectar.
This is because many have been bred for aesthetic, ornamental purposes and don't necessarily have the abundant nectar available in naturally-occurring species.
That's why it's important to prioritize native planting where you can, as these are naturally-occurring plants in your region that coexist with the pollinators in need of their nectar.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with adding your favorite showy hybrids to your garden, just take care to also mix in lots of natives to serve the pollinators seeking resources in your yard.
If you don't know where to start, wildflower gardens are invaluable to pollinators. They're easy to grow, too, just take a pack of pollinator-friendly wildflower seeds (like this mix from Burpee) and sprinkle it in your borders or a wild part of your lawn.
You can take it a step further by introducing specialist pollinator plants in your garden, such as Heuchera americana (available at Nature Hills) for alumroot cellophane bee.
2. Using Chemical Pesticides
It can be easy and convenient to grab pesticides in the panic of spotting pests that destroy plants, but what we don't necessarily see is how these harmful chemicals impact the pollinators in our yards.
Chemical garden products can harm and kill bees, butterflies, and other insects that work in our favor in the yard. In fact, the beneficial insects that prey on pests can be wiped out by these pesticides.
Instead, consider natural pest control methods. This includes introducing predators, like these ladybugs from Amazon and other predators that eat aphids, for example.
You can also position the best pest-repellent plants around your yard to deter pests. This pack of marigolds from Walmart is a reliable choice, with the scent and chemical compounds of the blooms repelling a wide range of spring and summer garden pests.
3. Over-Tidying Your Yard
Many of us are eager to get out in the garden and remove spent flower blooms and stems as soon as they start to fade. But, this actually takes away vital habitat for pollinators.
Many types of bees, for example, are cavity nesters and use hollow stems for shelter. Likewise, fallen leaves, deadwood, and long grass provide habitats for other insects and even small mammals.
That's why you should avoid cutting down fading plants for as long as possible, and why you shouldn't over-tidy your yard in fall at the end of the growing season.
Instead, embrace this part of the plant's lifecycle. Many fading perennials are architectural and provide some structure and beautiful silhouettes to the late-season garden landscape.
When it is time to remove dead plant matter, make sure to use sharp and clean pruning tools to maintain plant health. These Felco F2 pruning shears from Lowe's are a popular choice.
You can also provide supplementary habitats for pollinators if you're keen to tidy up the yard. This bug hotel from Amazon, for example, has lots of nooks for them to find refuge in. Likewise, this mason bee house from Amazon doubles as a charming garden feature.
What to Shop
This mason bee house provides shelter to pollinators. It's in a beautiful hexagonal shape, reminiscent of honeycomb.
This wildflower mix is full of nectar-rich blooms that pollinators will love. It covers up to 1,000 sq ft.
These bee watering stations can be inserted in garden border and flower beds to provide pollinators with a drinking spot.
There are so many different ways to support pollinators in your garden. You can create a singular pollinator strip, for example, or even paint your fence the best color for pollinators to attract them.
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