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Bees get a bad rap due to the misconception that these little pollinators sting unprovoked. But this could not be further from the truth.

Bees are some of the most important insects around. Whether wild or fostered in man-made hives, bees are crucial for the future of food production. These hard-working insects pollinate a third of the food crops that humans eat around the world.

In fact, about 400 different plant species benefit from the work of bees and other pollinators. These include most of the plants that produce fruits, vegetables and nuts, as well as those that are harvested for oil, such as rapeseed and sunflower. Other flowering plants like coffee and tea also depend on bees to reproduce.

How to attract bees

Homesteaders are noticing a decline in bee populations in their gardens, leading to a poor harvest and crop failure. Studies note that bee populations have been in sharp decline since 2005. In fact, the populations of wild pollinators worldwide are falling even faster than those of bees due to pesticide use, habitat destruction and air pollution, among other things.

What can gardeners and homesteaders do about such a huge problem? A lot, in fact. Follow these five simple steps to attract bees and boost their population in the garden:

Add flowers

Bees need flowers for their pollen and nectar, and flowers need bees to reproduce. That said, some flowers do a better job of attracting bees than others. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing which flowers to grow:

• Flowers with open petals that stand upright, such as cosmos and zinnias, are easier for bees to pollinate.
• Bees are attracted to fragrant flowers, such as those that have a natural sweet-smelling perfume about them. Nasturtiums are a great example of these, as are foxgloves and pot marigolds.
• Choose flowers that grow best in the area. Avoid invasive species that can overtake the garden and compete with other plants for nutrients.
• Long-flowering species full of nectar and pollen encourage bees to hang around for longer periods.

Plant herbs

Fragrant herbs also do a wonderful job of attracting bees. These include oregano, sage, basil, lavender, chives, catmint, cilantro, lemon balm and fennel. Plant a couple of them in the garden or, if you’re a bit tight on space, cultivate them in pots along the kitchen windowsill.

Avoid pesticide

Using pesticides, even organic ones, is a death sentence to bees and other beneficial insects hovering about in the garden. To protect bees, avoid pesticides as much as possible. If you’re having trouble with pests, consider planting crops that help repel bugs, such as garlic, citronella, marigolds and petunias.

Provide fresh water

Bees need water to drink, bathe and build nests. Therefore, providing a source of clean, fresh water can help attract bees better. Leave out a shallow saucer or bowl with water and add a couple of large, smooth stones to provide safe landing zones for the bees. This helps ensure that the bees do not drown while drinking.

Create a bee habitat

Bees can get tired, too, so offering them an inviting place to rest can help boost their population in your garden. There are tons of bee homes available in garden centers and hardware stores. You can also create your own from spare woodblocks, branches and chicken wire.

Bees and wild pollinators might be in a decline, but there is a lot that we can do in our own gardens to help these insects thrive.

Learn more about attracting pollinators and planting sustainable gardens at HomeGardeningNews.com.

Sources:

TheGuardian.com

TreeHugger.com

Nature.com

RanchAndFarmProperties.com