Help Native Bees, Providing Food and Shelter for Pollinators

NATIVE BEES HAVE AMAZING DIVERSITY
Most people are familiar with honeybees and bumblebees, but did you know New York is home to over 400 native bees? Unlike the non-native honeybee, most native bees are solitary and nest alone in the ground or in hollow cavities of plant material. There is a lot of diversity in our native bee population. They can be tiny like the Small Carpenter Bees, highly specialized like Mining Bees, and come in a wide variety of colors, including the Metallic Green Sweat Bees. No matter the size, shape, or color, native bees share an important role in ecosystems as pollinators. Without native bees, we would lose most of our beautiful flowering plants and important crops like tomatoes and pumpkins. Many native bee populations are in decline due to habitat loss, including nesting sites and flowering plants.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Plant Native Flowers!
Native bees require pollen and nectar from flowering plants. Select long-blooming native plants with large clusters of flower heads. Plant a diversity of native plant species to provide blooms from spring through fall. A few of the best flowers are shown below.

MAKE YOUR BACKYARD A HABITAT
In addition to food, water and nesting sites are important components of native bee habitat. All bees drink water, and some bees use water when making their nests. Add rocks or pebbles to your water features to prevent bees from drowning. Native bees also need ample nesting sites in various locations. 70% of native bees are solitary, ground-nesting species and prefer to nest in sunny, undisturbed, bare soil. The remaining 30% of native bees nest above ground within cavities and natural plant materials like tree snags, stumps, and hollow plant stems. Incorporate water and nesting sites to create a complete backyard habitat for these important pollinators.