College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

How to protect and increase pollinators in your landscape

Published on May 1, 2019
Protecting & enhancing pollinators in urban landscapes (US North Central Rgn) helps you attract pollinators and protect them from pesticides. Download full publication or click articles below to view sections of publication. Author: David Smitley, MSU

Native Plants to Promote Pollinators

Published on February 16, 2021

MI Ag Ideas to Grow With 2021 - Horticulture & Natural Resources Session: Beneficial insects and pollinators and native plants are adapted to Michigan. These insects ecosystem services that supports agriculture and gardening. Learn how to modify fence rows and gardens to attract beneficial insects and native pollinators.

Home Beekeeping

Published on February 19, 2021

MI Ag Ideas to Grow With 2021 - Horticulture & Natural Resources Session: Home Beekeeping: Are you curious about what it takes to become a beekeeper? Learn about the many factors to consider before deciding if beekeeping is right for you. This presentation will cover the first steps for getting started with beekeeping as well as steps everyone can take to support pollinators.

Ana Heck

Apiculture Extension Educator
heckanar@msu.edu
517-884-7976

Meghan Milbrath

Assistant Professor
milbrat2@msu.edu
517-884-9518

Giant wasps aren’t coming for you

Published on May 8, 2020
Facts about the giant invasive hornet.

Bee, wasp or hornet nest: Which one is it?

Published on October 12, 2021
Before you go about destroying a nest, you need to determine whether it is a nest of bees, wasps or hornets.

Better habitat for bees

Published on May 1, 2019
In general, herbs and garden perennials are good for bees, while most annual bedding plants are less attractive to them.

Investigating insect impacts on berry crops

Published on July 1, 2020
Rufus Isaacs, professor in the Michigan State University Department of Entomology, protects Michigan berry crops from invasive pests and examines crop pollination.

Potential impact of mosquito and nuisance insect sprays on pollinators

Published on May 1, 2019
Fogging or spraying for mosquitoes or biting flies around the yard and garden with an insecticide can be very harmful to pollinators.

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.

Pollinator habitat: Making every acre count

Published on April 28, 2020
Free webinar on April 30 from MSU’s Pollinator Initiative with guests from the Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund and Project Wingspan.

Michigan insects in the garden – Week 13: Crabronid wasps

Published on September 3, 2020
These bee relatives are busy eating your garden pests.

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.

Insects that look like bees

Published on August 30, 2019
It acts like a bee, but is it a bee? Many insects imitate bees and are also helpful for your yard and garden.

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.

Best Management Practices

Published on May 1, 2019
Most pesticide applications by tree care professionals are due to a few exotic pests.

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.

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.