Pollination is the transfer of pollen to a stigma ovule, flower, or plant, to allow fertilization. Working in the garden, I see more pollinators each day. If you see bees, flies, butterflies, birds, and other insects, it’s best to let them be. These hard-working insects and animals are needed to have fruits and vegetables. Doing some research, I found that up to 75% of the world’s food and fiber crops are fertilized with insect pollination.
The top seven pollinators you may see in your garden of flowers would be wild honeybees, which are the most common, managed bees, bumblebees, butterflies, moths, wasps, and other insects. I hear a lot of people at greenhouses talking about wanting to purchase traps to keep them away or even wanting insect spray to deter them from being around patios and sitting areas that have flowers and plants.
The bee population is rapidly declining each year around the world. This is due to loss of habitat, pesticides, and other factors like nutrition. If one crop is planted over acres or miles, bees and other pollinators need to travel great distances to get what they need to survive.
In my garden, I have eliminated the flowers to save on space for planting more crops, but I have, however, designed hanging pots for growing annual flowers that attract pollinators. Red, yellow, and pink seem to be the pollinators’ magnet colors. I have also included a water fountain for the pollinators to be able to get a drink.
If you plan to include a water feature, make sure not to use any chemicals in the water. You will need to rinse this out every few days so they will have fresh water and to stop mosquitoes from using it. I would also recommend keeping it shallow or placing rocks around the edges so that they will have a place to rest.
I have also included planting some wildflowers in a close patch of woods that allows them to have food.
I have found that bumblebees may be the only bee to work when the weather is rainy or overcast.
In my travels, I have seen bee houses. These can be found in garden centers by the birdhouses. Making bee houses can also be a rainy-day project for children. These houses can be made of a 4” to 6” diameter log. It will need to be at least 10” long. I would recommend using pine logs.
In one side of the cut end, drill multiple holes ¼” and 3/8” in diameter. This can be done by using drill bits and a drill. The holes will need to be 3” to 6” deep. Once this is complete, this can be fixed to a post or a tree. Make sure the side with the holes is slightly pointed down; this will stop water from entering the holes. Don’t be discouraged if it takes some time to see any activity. Some bees use this just as a place to get in out of inclement weather.
