Pollinators play a key role in keeping our ecosystems diverse. Pollinators are responsible for pollinating nearly one-third of every bite of food we eat and are essential to a healthy ecosystem, no matter where you live. Without pollinators, we would not thrive for long on this earth.
Pollinators are birds, bats, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, wasps, hummingbirds, bees and sometimes even small mammals.
Unfortunately,they are in decline in many areas. Here are three things you can do to help pollinators in your landscape:
- Plant native plants in your gardens. Some of the top pollinator attractors are Mountain Mint, Clethra, Asters, Liatris, Milkweeds, Coneflowers, Goldenrod and Monarda.
- Reduce the amount of mulch or landscape fabric you use. Covering the ground with these materials eliminates important nesting sites for many pollinators.
- Reduce or eliminate your use of pesticides. Many insects in your garden are friends, not foe. Identify the insect and learn about it before you decide if you need to control it.