Posts Tagged ‘beneficials’

Pollinators

When I first started to write this post, my intention was to segue into photos of our top bar hives - the first of which Matt completed today! - with information on the importance of honeybees to agriculture (and the economics of agriculture).

Most gardeners and farmers are accustomed to embracing the important role that bees play.  While doing some research for those impressive numbers - the billions of dollars and percentages of crops to be credited to honeybees - I learned that other pollinators, including the 3500 or so species of bees native to North America (honeybees are European) - are far more important.  They - like honeybees - are also in peril.

Luckily, many sources exist that provide information and materials to help out our native bees.  ATTRA provides an excellent reference paper called “Alternative Pollinators:  Native Bees.”  The National Wildlife Federation gives information, and instructions on building a “bee house.” Peaceful Valley sells a book, nesting block, and other materials to encourage populations of the Orchard Mason bee.  People living in areas with lots of unmanaged open space may not need to provide nesting habitat, but it might help to plant permanent, undisturbed places with pollen and nectar sources - Good Bug Blend being one option.  We have purchased some of this seed mix and will soon establish a permanent planting.

We will definitely continue with our plans for keeping honeybees for pollination and for honey, but we will pay more attention to the needs of our native bee friends.