Garden Obstacles: Creating Habitat for Native Pollinators

Creating habitats for native pollinators is essential for biodiversity and ecosystem support. Native pollinators like the mason bee (Osmia species) and bumblebee (Bombus species) facilitate pollen transfer, crucial for producing fruits, vegetables, and nuts vital to human diets and agriculture.

Native pollinators are better adapted to local plants and ecosystems, making them more efficient than non-native species, like the invasive European honeybee (Apis mellifera). Suitable habitats, such as and native plant landscapes and hedgerows help sustain these essential species.

The decline of native pollinator populations is due to habitat loss (they need the leaves and stems of spent plants for nesting), pesticide use (there is no such thing as a selective pesticide - fertilizer with grub killer and spraying for ticks and mosquitoes kills all insects including the beneficial ones to control populations of 'pests'), and climate change threatens food security and ecosystem health. Preserving habitats for native pollinators enhances biodiversity, promotes sustainable agriculture, and protects natural balance.

Fostering habitats for native pollinators benefits both the pollinators and humans, making it a critical step toward a healthy, sustainable future.

Pics (KMS Native Plants): Carpenter Bees (Ceratina species) on Shrubby St. John's Wort (Hypericum prolificum), Eastern Common Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) on Hoary Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum), Blue Orchard Mason Bee (Osmia lignaria), and Metallic Sweat Bee (Augochlora pura) on 'Eastern Star' white wood aster (Eurybia divaricata 'Eastern Star')