Why Are All the Pollinators Important?

"The birds and the bees need help. Also, the butterflies, moths, wasps, beetles, and bats," wrote The New York Times in 2016. They wrote that a new report warned that an international effort is required to stop many species' extinction. These species promote the growth of hundreds of billions of dollars of food each year. The referenced report came from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, formed by the United Nations in 2012 and comprised of 124 countries. 

The USDA Forest Service identifies other species that act as essential pollinators as well. The list includes eight different butterfly species, four different moths, three types of wasps, and two different types of bats. Beetles and even mosquitoes play a vital role in pollinating other plants. Hummingbirds are essential for helping to pollinate dozens of wildflower species.

What Are Some Home and Lawn Issues For Pollinators?

Urban and suburban space represents a fundamental change in habitat for pollinators. Prairie gardens, xeriscapes, and yards planted for pollinators are still dramatically different from the wild. Most pollinator species will find ways to adapt to changes in their environment. Nevertheless, several practices negatively affect the health of many types of pollinators.

Use of Neonicotinoid Insecticides

About a decade ago, neonicotinoid insecticides were classified as "more environmentally friendly" because they were shown not to cause much damage to mammals. Unfortunately, recent research has shown that "neonicotinoids are persistent, and even as they degrade, they continue to remain toxic to bees." Neonicotinoids are usually systemic, which means that the roots can absorb them and move through the entire plant into pollen nectar. Today, neonicotinoid insecticides are in a wide variety of common garden insecticides. This includes brands like Bayer Advanced 3-in-1 and Ortho Bug B Gon Year-Long Tree & Shrub Insect Control. While these products might protect your roses or garden ornamentals from certain pests, they prove to be extremely toxic to insect pollinators.

In addition, many gardening stores that grow flowering plants use insecticides that are harmful to bees. For perennials, it takes several years for the root system to rid itself of these toxins. So if you are purchasing flowering plants, be sure to find a nursery that does not use insecticides on its plants.

Lawn Care Killing Ground Nesting Bees

There are hundreds of types of native bees that nest in the ground. They usually create "tubes" dug between three to six inches into the soil. Lawnmowers—and especially chemical fertilizers and pesticides applied to lawns—are lethal to these bee species, essential pollinators in early spring. Read here for some ideas about how to enjoy a healthy lawn without relying on chemical pesticides that are toxic to ground-nesting bees.

Impervious Areas

Bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators would have difficulty finding pollen and nectar in a yard covered by cement or asphalt. The average American yard is covered by 19 percent impervious surfaces, including rooftops, driveways, sidewalks, and patios. (To reduce the impervious surface, consider planting a  green roof or using permeable pavers.)

Natural Risks to Pollinators

Avoid the types of flowers that are toxic to pollinators. These include everyday household flowers such as buttercups, rhododendrons, and Mountain Laurel.

How Can You Choose the Best Place for Your Pollinator Garden?

Find as large a space as possible in your yard for your native plant or pollinator garden. (Better yet, replace your entire lawn with these plants, as you will save time, money, and water from not having to mow it or irrigate it) Make sure the site and the plants you select have similar sun, shade, and water considerations. For example, don't plant full-sun native perennial flowers or grasses that like dry soil in a shady wet spot. Read gestation and bloom times carefully (on the seed packet or in your catalog) to plan the garden so that something is continually in bloom throughout the growing season. Continuous bloom, from spring through fall, will provide ongoing nectar, shelter, and habitat for pollinators.