Native Bees

The European honeybee is the face of “Save the Bees” movement but there are thousands of native bees that could use our help too.
Most native bees are docile creatures. Nearly 70% nest as individuals in the ground. There are no hives, no allergic reactions, no honey. These bees are part of a healthy natural environment.

Duration:

6 minutes, 40 seconds

There are roughly 4,000 species of bees native to North America. Most are solitary and docile ground nesters that people are unaware of. But without bees, our flowering plants don’t get pollinated, bear fruit, or reproduce. Learn more about how to help bees survive and thrive.

How You Can Help

• Plant native flowers
• Replace lawn with flowering plants. One big annual sunflower produces enough pollen and nectar for over 100 bees.
• Move away from clearing out the underbrush
• Get rid of invasive plants
• Avoid using insecticides, herbicides, or fungicides

Where to See Them

You can see native bees harvesting pollen and nectar on flowering plants. Areas of sunny bare soil are favorite nesting conditions for many native, ground-dwelling bee species.

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