Plant pollination depends heavily on bees. Bees are the hardest workers, while many other insects and animals also contribute to the process. Bees will remain in the garden longer if a favorable environment is created, which will benefit flowering & fruiting plants.
How to Attract Bees
Maintaining a clean garden might hurt bee populations. This is so that it eliminates objects and locations that insects often utilize. Only honeybees build hives; 70% of bees nest on the ground and 30% make their homes in cracks and crevices.
Throughout the globe, there are more than 20,000 different species of bee. Some of the most significant insects for domestic gardens, wild flora, and agriculture are included in this variety. Making a bee sanctuary garden will give our buzzing little creatures a home and nourishment. Such methods encourage bees into the garden and boost the capacity of the plants to blossom, bear fruit, and produce seeds. If you follow some advice on creating a bee habitat, these helpful insects will be active in your garden.
Tips on Creating a Bee Sanctuary
Pollinators may be attracted to gardens, even those with limited area. Avoiding the use of pesticides, particularly near blossoming flowers, is one of the most important stages in promoting helpful bees. Instead, choose a “bee-safe” formulation that will not hurt the beneficial insects. Sticky traps should also be avoided since they may capture bees and are not selective.
Like honeybees, most bee species live alone and do not form colonies. These species may reside on the ground, in mounds of trash, or within the hollow of stems of trees. Although having a well-kept yard may be essential to a home gardener, bee habitat is decreased by such activities. There are methods to improve habitat without having mounds cluttering the landscape if you do not want a messy yard. So that bees may get to the soil, leave a section of the garden that is well-lit and unmulched. Avoid weed barrier fabric as well since it will stop burrowing. And even though you may not like it, let some dandelions grow since they are a vital food source for bees.
Other Features of the Bee Sanctuary
Like humans, bees need food, drink, and shelter. By growing plants that will attract bees, you can keep them around. Bees may get food from flowering plants, fragrant plants, herbs, and other plants. Choose plants that produce flowers in a range of shapes and sizes. Even little bees will find food thanks to this. The little species will be attracted to the small blooms that plants in the mint & carrot families produce. Where feasible, plant native species. They provide the natural diet that bees are used to and can identify.
Much like us, bees need water. They may find a watering spot on the lid of a can or in a tiny, shallow dish. Avoid deep containers since doing so will compel them to fall into the water and risk drowning. Make landing spots in the dish by adding tiny pebbles. Every few days, change the water to keep insects like mosquitoes away.
DIY Bee Habitat
Building a bee house may create a bee habitat, eliminating the need for outside clutter. A simple bee home may be bought or built. Solitary bees may be kept in a vertically mounted wooden box filled with sticks and twigs, toilet paper cores, and drilled pieces of wood. There should be enough overhang on the box to keep water out. Milk boxes, cans, and PVC pipes are other materials that may be utilized. Twigs hollowed out, or even paper drinking straws provide tunnel-like abodes.
Install reeds, asters, honeysuckle, bee balm, sunflowers, or other plants with naturally hollow stems. Place the home next to flowering plants. Most bees will not go more than 91 meters (300 feet) to hunt for food. Change it every year if you use nesting material made of paper or cardboard.
Bees utilize their vision to find their nest. Use non-toxic paint or bright materials to decorate the container and aid bees in returning home.