Guide for Encouraging Bumble Bees: Easy Steps to Support These Essential Pollinators
In the vibrant gardens of Ohio, the common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) reigns supreme among native bumble bee species. These social insects are not only frequent visitors, but they are also essential pollinators for crops such as blueberries and raspberries, as well as many native plants.
Bumble bees play a crucial role in our ecosystem, and their conservation is of utmost importance. However, they face numerous threats, including habitat loss and degradation, pesticide exposure, parasites and diseases, climate-induced heat stress, and competition from non-native or managed bee species.
Habitat loss and degradation reduce the availability of diverse flowers and suitable nesting sites. Since about 70% of bee species, including many bumble bees, nest in the ground, maintaining natural soil environments is crucial.
Pesticides harm bees directly or indirectly by reducing floral resources and weakening bee immunity.
The parasite Crithidia bombi infects bumblebees, impairing their ability to forage and leading to colony decline. Research shows that bumblebees foraging on nectar of certain plants like heather, which contains the compound callunene, gain protective effects against this parasite.
Climate change causes heat stress especially in solitary and wild bees by disrupting their thermoregulation ability and food availability.
Gardeners can support bumblebee populations by:
- Planting a variety of native, pesticide-free, nectar- and pollen-rich flowers throughout the growing season to ensure continuous food supply.
- Preserving or creating bare patches of soil or undisturbed ground to support ground-nesting species.
- Avoiding or minimizing pesticide use and supporting integrated pest management approaches.
- Including plants like heather or others that provide chemical defenses such as callunene for bees to help protect them from parasites.
- Creating microhabitats that can buffer heat stress, such as shaded areas and water sources.
These combined actions can help mitigate the synergistic threats posed by parasites, habitat loss, pesticides, and climate stress, thus supporting the survival and health of bumble bee populations.
Some trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and herbs listed as key plants for bumble bees include maple, crabapple, linden, redbud, willow, diervilla, pussy willow, raspberry, rose, viburnum, aster, bee balm, hyssop, milkweed, penstemon, cosmos, morning glory, phacelia, sunflower, zinnia, borage, catmint, lavender, oregano, and rosemary.
If space allows, planting a small meadow or prairie patch full of native wildflowers can provide food from spring through fall. It's important to note that bumble bees are specifically impacted by several introduced diseases that infect only bumble bees.
For more information about bumble bees and how to help them, resources such as Bumble Bee Watch, Pollinator Partnership, The Ohio State University Bee Lab, and Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation are available. The rusty-patched bumble bee, a native species now facing extinction, is a stark reminder of the importance of conservation efforts.
Let's work together to create gardens that are not only beautiful but also beneficial for our buzzing friends, the bumble bees.
- In the realm of environmental science and home-and-garden lifestyle, the conservation of bumble bees is crucial due to their vital role in pollinating crops and native plants.
- Gardening practices such as planting a diverse assortment of native flowers throughout the growing season, ensuring a continuous food supply for bumble bees, is essential for their survival.
- To further aid bumble bees, gardeners can maintain or create bare patches of soil or undisturbed ground, providing suitable nesting sites for ground-nesting species.
- By incorporating plants like heather into gardens, gardeners can help protect bumble bees from parasites, as heather nectar contains the compound callunene, which provides defensive properties.
