How to protect and increase pollinators in your landscape
Published April 13, 2016
By: MSU Extension, Department of Entomology
Protecting and enhancing pollinators in urban landscapes (US North Central Rgn) helps landscapers and gardeners attract pollinators and protect them from pesticides. Download the full publication or click articles below to view sections of the publication.
Articles
Introduction to protecting and increasing pollinators in your landscape
Published on April 13, 2016
For the past 30 years or more, most tree care professionals, landscapers, urban foresters and many informed property owners have been managing destructive insects by minimizing pesticide use and encouraging predators and parasites.
Pollinators in urban landscapes
Published on April 13, 2016
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.
Factors that threaten pollinator health
Published on April 13, 2016
Most researchers agree that a combination of factors is causing declines in bee and pollinator populations, including parasites, pathogens, loss of habitat or flowers that provide pollen and nectar, and pesticide exposure.
Creating and maintaining pollinator friendly habitat
Published on April 13, 2016
Many types of insects feed on pollen and nectar, although two types of pollinators have received the most attention: bees and butterflies.
Better habitat for bees
Published on April 13, 2016
In general, herbs and garden perennials are good for bees while annual bedding plants are not as attractive to them.
Landscape plants and wildflowers attractive to butterflies for nectar feeding
Published on April 13, 2016
Many of the flowering plants attractive to bees will also be visited by butterflies. However, butterflies are attracted to flowers almost entirely for feeding on nectar.
Flowers throughout the year
Published on April 13, 2016
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.
Selection, planting and care of trees and shrubs to avoid the need for pesticides
Published on April 13, 2016
The best way to minimize pollinator exposure to pesticides is to create and maintain healthy landscapes with plants that rarely require a pesticide application.
How to control invasive pests while protecting pollinators and other beneficial insects
Published on April 13, 2016
Pesticides should never be applied unless they are necessary to maintain plant health.
Do not spray highly attractive plants with insecticide before or during flowering
Published on April 13, 2016
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.
Avoid spraying flowers with fungicides
Published on April 13, 2016
At one time most fungicides were thought to be mostly harmless to honey bees and other pollinators.
Best management practices
Published on April 13, 2016
Most pesticide applications by tree care professionals are due to a few exotic pests.