Mostly when we hear the term pollinators; honeybees, bumblebees, hummingbirds, and butterflies come to mind. We rarely if ever think of the thousands of other native pollinators that are diligently working on the plants. Our "unknown pollinators" bats, moths, flies, spiders, beetles, and bugs of all sorts are working day and night to do nature's work.
Books on Pollinators
It is well known that pollinators of all types are in peril all over the world. While there are many theories and much speculation there is so far no definitive answers for the cause of their rapid decline and in some cases actual extinction . However, it seems that one would have to at least suspect the chemical cocktail that we all live in. Avoiding a chemistry debate, let's acknowledge that many of these chemicals are designed to kill bugs. While some of these chemicals are tested as to the effect on honeybees (our most famous pollinator), they pay no attention to the vast array of other pollinators. Backing up to the bee safe chemicals-- What happens when insecticide "A" is mixed with insecticide "B" is mixed with herbicide "C" is mixed with fungicide "D"? I don't know either but it is being done all the time. It is mind boggling the number of possible combinations from all the chemicals sold in stores today. Terrifying in fact.
So, what can we do...
1. Watch the film Vanishing of the Bees
You need to now what is going on before you can make reasonable decisions as to what you should do next.
2. Stop the use of chemicals on our lawns, gardens, plants, and trees.
Everything starts with the soil. Sick soil, sick
plants, sick pollinators.
Understanding that connection can be life
changing. The Soil and Health
3. Leave unused lawn uncut or convert some of it to pollinator friendly plants.
Here is a nice collection seeds that will benefit our pollinators. For the bees you can plant bee friendly seeds or for the butterflies you can plant seeds for butterflies.
4. Make a serious effort to buy organically grown products.
You will be supporting the farmers that are making a serious effort to provide us with chemical free food.
Check out what pesticides are on and in your food with the "What's On My Food?" widget to the left under the butterfly picture. Or use the banner below to go to directly to the web site.
5. Raise your own honeybees, mason bees, bumblebees, or other pollinators.
This book is a great reference to get you on your way
to being a good host to various pollinators. Pollinator Conservation Handbook
6. Be proactive - Blinders are not an effective barrier against chemicals.
Knowing what chemicals are being used and how they work is very important so you are going to have to do some homework.
Since you are at Dave's Bees and we are beekeepers then the following link would be a great place to start a research project. Pesticides & pollinator decline | Pesticide Action Network
Here are some text links to the video and books on the right.
Nature: Silence of the Bees
Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis
