How to Bee Friendly To Pollinators

Pollinators in the US have been in crisis for more than a decade. Bee populations in particular have plummeted by 87 percent since the 1990s. As one of the Obama Administration’s last environmental moves, the rusty patched bumblebee became the first bee in the United States to be protected under the Endangered Species Act. As bees and pollinators face endangerment, agriculture in the U.S. faces dire losses, as bees alone contribute more than $15 billion to U.S. crop production. But there are many ways individuals can make a difference and help save the bees, and much of the following information is recommended by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service.

 

Plant a Pollinator Garden

Creating natural habitats for pollinators is a great way to combat habitat loss and create safe spaces for species like the bumblebee. Here are some tips to get you started:

  • Pick plants that bloom at various times of year, so your garden always has attractions for pollinators. Late winter is a good time to sow seeds for spring and summer, and bulbs planted in autumn will also begin growth in spring. Once the soil warms, sunflowers can grow easily throughout the year, especially if they’re cut back annually.
  • Plant in clumps rather than isolated stalks, and try varying the types and colors of the flowers. The  NAPPC’s Pollinator Syndrome table lists the types of flowers that attract what pollinators (including bats, hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, etc.). Bees in particular see in ultraviolet, so red flowers are indistinguishable from green and therefore harder to recognize. Bees are more often attracted to Yellow, white, violet, purple, and blue flowers.
  • Native flowers are always a good choice because they are familiar to your local pollinator populations, and may be chosen as larval hosts. Field guides are great resources to tell you what plants butterflies eat at various larval stages, and the NAPPC’s Ecoregional Planting Guides. identify pollinator friendly plants. In addition, certain plants like milkweed will attract pollinators (in this case monarch butterflies). Local wildflower mixes are great choices, because they include plants familiar to bees, are varied, will grow in clumps, and are adapted to your local climate; they often simulate natural meadow habitats for pollinators.
  • Leaving a few weeds here and there can also attract pollinators, as weeds are often local species of flowers. Letting your grass grow naturally is a great way to give pollinators shelter and natural habitat while also cutting down on herbicides.
  • Birdbaths and other sources of isolated water will also attract bees, especially in the summer, and if you change it occasionally, you won’t have mosquito problems.
  • Border fruits and vegetables with native flowers to improve pollination of your crops and support bees when crops aren’t blooming; this also attracts other pollinators such as wasps and hover flies that control crop pests.

 

Create Nesting Sites for Bees

Bees nest in the ground or in dry wood/plants. They most nest alone, excluding bumble bees and non-native honey bees. In fact, while honeybees live in hives and colonies, 70 percent of bee species nest underground or in natural cavities. Bumble bees nest in natural cavities such as holes in the ground. To create nesting sites, maintain a small, undisturbed patch of dry, sparsely vegetated ground. Avoid mulch if possible. The more sun the better. Bees such as carpenter bees prefer dry wood, so consider leaving a log or two near your garden. You can also simulate natural habitats by drilling holes in preservative-free wood to create an artificial habitat. It will create an observable habitat for your local bees. Such habitats should be monitored, however, so that they do not become homes for non-native species that will compete with local bee species. You should also use an inner paper liner changed annually to prevent the spread of diseases between bee colonies (diseases are a key cause of colony collapse disorder).

 

Avoiding Pesticides

Pesticide residue can kill pollinators for days after its use, often killing the natural predators of pests and exacerbating the problem. Neonicotinoid pesticides, in particular, remain in the soil for years. They include imidacloprid, Acetimacloprid, Clothianidin, Thiacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Dinotefuran and Nitenpyram. Such treatments are especially harmful if applied while flowers are in bloom, as they will contaminate pollen and nectar, eventually getting into honey, and then often consumed by humans. They are also one of the major culprits of Colony Collapse Disorder. To protect pollinators from pesticides, try alternative methods, such as removing pests by hand (using gloves – you can also spray aphids with water or use garlic to get rid of them), creating habitats for natural pest predators (like birdhouses), and learning about integrated pest management. If you do use pesticide, try using ones which target only one species and do not persist on plants. You can also use the lowest effective application rate and avoid spraying when flowers are blooming. Pollinators are least active in the late afternoon and evening, so this is a good time for pesticide application. Use sparingly, and choose liquid sprays or granules instead of dusts which contaminate other plants (Be conscious of the wind!). Keep pesticides away from water or sensitive habitats, and avoid micro-encapsulated formulations which can be mistaken for pollen by pollinators. Rinse your pesticide tanks to avoid cross-contamination.

 

More Ways to Help

  • Eating organic is a great way to avoid supporting the use of Neonicotinoid pesticides. Supporting organic gardeners is supporting bees. (Fact: A significant challenge for beekeepers is making sure hives are in areas where there are no chemical sprays within 3 miles, as this is the only way to protect bees from pesticides an ensure truly organic honey.)
  • Bees rarely sting, and if they become a problem, local bee keepers are often willing to help relocate the populations. Buying local honey is also a great way to support your local be populations.
  • You can help bees in your state or city by contacting your representatives and using your power as a constituent to help save bees. Ask them to stop the use of pesticides in public spaces such as parks and promote the use of integrated pest management as well as wildflowers.

-Courtney Kratz

Friday Night Sustainability

Living in the Greenbelt Community gives you opportunities to learn and practice sustainability during the week, but weekends are also a great time to extend sustainable habits into your free time, especially when it comes to partying. Here are some ways Adel and I have changed our weekend routines to be more sustainable.

 

  1. Getting Ready
  • Perfumes and Cologne: Brief history lesson, until the production of Chanel No. 5, most perfumes didn’t contain synthetic ingredients. Afterwards, however, they became prevalent in most perfume brands. Organic perfumes are a lot more common than you would think. Even Rue21 has an eco-friendly line of perfume, and most brands that attempt to be more environmentally friendly will have labels.
  • Other Products: You can use websites like the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database to check what harmful chemicals might be in your shampoos, conditioners, makeup, and other products.
  • Clothes: If you’re worried about the carbon footprint of laundry, try not using to the dryer to lessen your impact. It’s better for your clothes, and you can reduce your emissions by more than half. Not using a dryer results in 0.7 kg CO2e if washed at 40°C and dried on a line. With a dryer, it’s 2.4 kg CO2e if washed at 40°C and tumble-dried in a vented dryer.
  1. Carpooling
  • Carpooling with friends to parties or downtown Greenville is a great way to reduce vehicle emissions.
  1. Recycling
  • Buying Beverages: Not so fun fact about the Greenville area, we can’t recycle glass. So if you’re buying soda, beer, liquor, or other beverages, try to buy plastic or aluminum so you can recycle it.
  • Coffee: If you go to a Star Bucks for your coffee, and even other coffee places, you’ll notice that the cups and lids tend to have recycle symbols on them. Here in Greenville, our recycling center is perfectly capable of recycling the cups, but the plastic lids have a 6 within the recycling symbol, telling you what classification of material it falls under. However, this type of plastic isn’t recyclable in this area. Try bringing refillable cups to Star Bucks or other coffee places. Many offer great discounts if you do! In addition, for anyone who likes lattes or other milk-based drinks, try substituting dairy for soy or almond milk as a more sustainable and healthier alternative.
  • Frat Parties: There’s nothing wrong with partying or drinking on the weekends, but frat parties off campus generate a lot of empty beer and soda cans. Try going to the house parties that recycle regularly, and if not, try suggesting recycling bins to the others.
  1. Restaurants:
  • Try going to restaurants that serve local food. Though eating out does increase your carbon footprint, it’s still a good idea to support businesses that try to adhere to sustainable practices like sourcing locally grown foods. My main recommendation is Southern Pressed Juicery in downtown Greenville, which makes gourmet smoothies and acai bowls that are all vegan and made from locally grown ingredients. They’re really good!

Hope these tips were helpful! 🙂