7 Unexpected Pollinators That Are Quietly Improving Our Yards – And How to Help Them Thrive
Often dismissed as pests, these creatures are more important than you think
National Pollinator Week (June 22 - 28) is here, shining the spotlight on the often unsung heroes of our backyards who help keep our plants and flowers blooming all summer long.
All too often it's the bees and the butterflies who get all the attention. And while they do a lot of the heavy lifting, our yards are alive with lots of other unsung heroes who are, albeit less celebrated, just as vital when it comes to pollination, quietly underpinning our food production and ensuring our yards are rich and biodiverse.
From night‑flying mammals to insects more often portrayed as pests, I've uncovered seven unexpected pollinators, which can be found in our yards. I'll explore how our yards can help play a crucial role in their survival and I'll share what you can do to help make sure your yard keeps on attracting them all year round.
Hoverflies
While they might often get mistaken for wasps or small bees, hoverflies are amongst some of the most efficient pollinators found in our yards.
They are drawn to open, flat flowers such as daisies, yarrow, fennel and alyssum, where nectar and pollen are easy to access. Their larvae feed on aphids, making them an extra valuable pollinator to have in your yard.
To encourage them, plant simple, nectar‑rich flowers in clusters. These sweet alyssum seeds available from Amazon are easily sown and not only provide great ground cover but are also a magnate for pollinators, including hoverflies.
The key is also to avoid using pesticides, and in fall through into winter leave some areas of your yard undisturbed where larvae can overwinter.
Beetles
Beetles have long been pollinating plants, well before the bee took center stage.
This may come as a surprise to you but the beetle is in fact an ancient and vital pollinator, who unlike the bee is more interested in pollen than nectar.
The unassuming beetle will transfer pollen between fragrant plants with the pollen grains sticking to their coarse hairs and legs as then moves from plant to plant, more often than not fragrant plants, rich in pollen.
Beetles love plants which boast strong fruity, spicy or fermented scents and that are also open, flat or bowl shaped.
A good idea is to look at planting magnolias, or water lilies like these bold and beautiful plants available to buy from Amazon which will also add a splash of color to your pond.
Yards that that are also home to native shrubs and trees, along with leaf litter and decaying wood will help provide much needed shelter so beetles can thrive.
Moths
Jasmine is one of many plants that can be grown to attract moths into your yard in the evening, to help them thrive.
When the sun goes down and the butterflies retire for the day, its the turn of the moth to take over and carry out their pollinating duties on the night shift.
Many species of moths are attracted to pale, strongly scented, night‑blooming flowers such as evening primrose or honeysuckle.
Moths are instrumental to both of these plants which open or release scent after dusk. Star jasmine is also a great addition to your yard to consider, like this highly scented star jasmine from Nature Hills.
To help moths thrive it is also important to reduce outdoor lighting and again plant scented native species. This will ensure your yard is a welcoming destination for moths in the evening.
Wasps
Often seen as a frustrating pest and eradicated, wasps are in fact another unexpectant vital pollinator in our yards,
Misunderstood but essential, wasps are commonly viewed as an aggressive pest. However the truth is there are many wasps species which regularly visit flowers and transfer pollen as they feed, making them another unexpected pollinator that we need to consider as a vital cog in the wheel when it comes to creating a rich ecosystem in our yards.
Wasps are part drawn to small, late‑season flowers such as ivy, which will provide nectar when other food sources are scarce.
By allowing plants to flower later in the year and avoiding unnecessary nest removal, you can really help to boost wasp populations and help the wider ecosystem too.
Ants
Avoid using chemical pesticides in your yard to get rid of ants as they are helpful ground level pollinators.
Although ants might not be the most efficient pollinators, they do play a role, particularly for low‑growing plants. and shouldn't be completely written off. As ants move between ground‑level flowers in search of nectar or honeydew, pollen is transferred in the process.
Chemical ant controls disrupt this contribution, so it is really important to avoid using chemical deterrents in your yard. Yards with ground‑covering flowers and a more natural structure are more supportive of ants and the their role in pollinating. Think chamomile and thyme planted in between the cracks of pavers and paths.
Thyme is a great ground cover and thrives in poorer soils too, plus there are so many different varieties to choose from like this variety called Wooly Thyme available to buy from Nature Hills, which puts on a beautiful showy pink flower in late spring into the summer.
Bats
Bats are another important night time pollinator in our yards, which also need supported.
In warmer regions of the southern United States, bats are among one of the most important nocturnal pollinators, pollinating after dark.
Bats rely on large, pale, night‑blooming flowers such as agave, yucca and certain cacti, many of which have actually evolved over time specifically for bat pollination. They are also a great way to add structure and character to your garden and thrive in dry warm conditions.
This yucca which you can buy from Nature Hills would be ideal to plant. AS well as providing a water station, consider adding a bat house to provide a safe shelter for bats that visit you yard like this one from Amazon. These steps will really help to support bat conservation and maintain these vital populations.
Birds
Every yard should have at least a small bird bath to provide birds with a source of water.
While hummingbirds are the most famous of the avian pollinators, other bird species including White - Winged Doves, Orioles and Finches also move pollen as they feed.
They are attracted to robust, nectar‑rich flowers such as salvias , a magnet for a wide range of pollinators, and also trumpet vine. While birds commonly feast on insects they often supplement insects with nectar, making them an unassuming but nevertheless important pollinator in our yards,
If you are looking to create a paradise for your feathered friends, keep pesticides out of your yard. A really useful addition would be a bird bath like this stylish metal one, available to buy from Amazon.
Ensuring there is a clean water supply in your garden will attract birds and help them to play their part in the pollination process.
Often misunderstood or overlooked, together these pollinators form an essential hidden workforce that supports ecosystems and food systems alike.
By planting a diverse mix of flowers, providing water sources and crucially reducing chemicals while also allowing our yards to become a little less tidy, these moves can make a huge impact.
This National Pollinator Week, it's clear that bees are not the only pollinator. We need to embrace and support the wide range of pollinators to ensure our yards are kept alive with life and vibrancy.
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