Imagine you were a bee. Which one would you be? There are more than 450 species in Ohio — so many to choose from. Some are native, some are nonnative; some are large, some are small; some are fuzzy and hairy, others are quite smooth. But no matter their species, they are involved in something very important — something we call pollination.
It is estimated that for every third bite of food you take, you should thank a bee or other pollinator. If it were not for bees, our produce departments, farmers’ markets, and farm stands would look very different and lack some of the staples that we have grown to enjoy eating.
Bees need sources of pollen and nectar throughout the year. As you enjoy your garden this season, there are times when you have a lot blooming, but what about other times when there is not much flower activity? Focus on the slow times and fill in with plants that will excel at the site and provide the floral resources, too. If you happen to observe one of the blah-blooming periods, take a walk around the neighborhood or visit gardens to see what is in bloom and what flowering plants could fill a void.
Ohio State University has a bee lab dedicated to research and outreach on topics related to honeybees, wild bees, and other pollinators and is a great resource for gardeners. Denise Ellsworth, program director of the Bee Lab, and has worked with others to develop fact sheets and resources on Ohio-specific bee and pollinator topics. Resources include identification guides of common Ohio bees, tips for creating pollinator habitats with specific tree and plant suggestions, and links to recorded webinars. Check it out online at http://u.osu.edu/beelab.
When someone says bees, many think of honeybees and of course yummy honey. While raising bees is not for everyone, there are still big benefits for everyone to create pollinator habitats in our landscapes and gardens. They do not have to be large; in fact, it is recommended to start small and grow the garden as time and space allow. An added benefit is that you might also attract more good bugs such as lady beetles, predator wasps, lacewings, and praying mantis when you thought you were just focusing on those that buzz.
According to Ellsworth, pollinators share the same habitat needs as other beneficial insects.
“So even if you’re not growing something that relies on pollinators, you’ll be creating a habitat for other beneficial insects,” she said.
Back to if you were a bee. As a bee, you may take up residence in a small urban garden or call a large farm home. No matter the area or size of the property, pollinator habitats are easy to identify and include features and plants that would be attractive to you — the bee!
Think of shelter, food, and water — as a bee you need all three. Take a quick look at your landscape or garden while asking yourself, is it a happy place for bees? If you want to attract these beneficial insects, you must monitor for unwanted pests and manage them in ways that do not have an off-target impact on those you want to encourage. While you can control pests, use integrated pest management — or intelligent pest management, as one of my colleagues likes to say. If you are unsure of what an insect is, do not reach for the spray bottle, but rather find out what it is first.
Enjoy the flowers and make note of those especially visited by bees. We owe bees and other pollinators so much. The least we can do is provide an environment that they can enjoy and be “busy bees!”
Resources
Below are links to Ohio State resources. You can also visit the Ohio State Bee Lab website for more resources, including current research, and information on the Ohio Bee Atlas, to which citizen scientists can contribute photos and observations. Additional resources are available through the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation at https://xerces.org.
Attracting Pollinators to the Garden: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-47
Bumble Bees in Ohio: Natural History and Identification of Common Species: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-84
How to Identify and Enhance Ohio’s Wild Bees in Your Landscape: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-85
Ohio Bee Identification Guide: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-57
Ohio Bee Identification Cards and Posters: http://u.osu.edu/thebuzz/2018/09/21/common-bees-of-ohio-poster-and-id-card-free-pdf-available/
Ohio Trees for Bees: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-71
Pollinator Quick Guide: What You Can Do to Help Bumble Bees: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-81
Pollinator Quick Guide: What You Can Do to Help Honey Bees: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-79
Pollinator Quick Guide: What You Can Do to Help Native Bees: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-80
Pollinator Quick Guide: What You Can Do to Help Pollinators: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-78
Amy Stone is an extension educator with the Ohio State Extension-Lucas County, Agriculture and Natural Resources. Contact her at: stone.91@osu.edu.
First Published June 3, 2019, 6:00 p.m.
