MSU Extension Gardening in Michigan

News

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  Monarch butterfly research update – May 2019

  Published on May 17, 2019
  Michigan is an important state for supporting the summer breeding population of monarchs. Here is an update on what we do and don’t know about increasing egg laying and survival.

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  Pollinators in urban landscapes

  Published on May 1, 2019
  Most plants need pollination to reproduce and grow fruit. While some plants are wind-pollinated, many require assistance from insects, bats, hummingbirds or other animals.

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  Considerations for disease management

  Published on May 1, 2019
  It was previously thought that fungicides and bactericides are harmless to honey bees and other pollinators, and in fact, most fungicides are still considered relatively safe, even while spraying when pollinators are present.

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  Factors that threaten pollinator health

  Published on May 1, 2019
  Most researchers agree that a combination of factors is causing declines in bee and pollinator populations, including loss of habitat or flowers that provide pollen and nectar, pesticide exposure, parasites and pathogens.

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  Biological control and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for protecting pollinators

  Published on May 1, 2019
  For the past 30 years or more, most tree care professionals and many informed property owners have been managing destructive insects by minimizing pesticide use and encouraging predators and parasitoids that naturally keep pests under control.

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  Do not spray pollinator-attractive plants with insecticides when open flowers are present

  Published on May 1, 2019
  It is clear to most people that insecticides sprayed onto open flowers can be highly toxic to bees, even if they are sprayed early in the morning or at night when bees are not present.

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  Introduction to protecting and increasing pollinators in your landscape

  Published on May 1, 2019
  Most of the fruit and vegetables we eat would not exist if we did not have honey bees and native bees to pollinate the flowers they developed from.

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  Flowers throughout the year

  Published on May 1, 2019
  The best habitats for bees have flowering plants rich in nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. Survey your yard and garden to see when flowers are abundant and when they are scarce.

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  Selection, planting and care of trees and shrubs to avoid the need for pesticides

  Published on May 1, 2019
  The best way to minimize pollinator exposure to pesticides is to create and maintain healthy landscapes with plants that rarely require a pesticide application.

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  Creating and maintaining pollinator friendly habitat

  Published on May 1, 2019
  Many types of insects feed on pollen and nectar, although two types of pollinators receive the most attention: bees and butterflies.