The Bees and The Wasps Need Some Love

Do you love flowers but hate bees and wasps? 

Flowers are blooming everywhere during the summer, and the markets are full of fresh fruits and veggies. It’s such a vibrant, colorful time of year. But while we’re enjoying all that beauty and flavor, most of us aren’t exactly thrilled to see bees and wasps buzzing around.

Still, here’s the thing — without them, we wouldn’t have nearly as much to enjoy. 🐝

The tough part is, bees and wasps are having a rough time lately. Their numbers are shrinking — fast. Between habitat loss, pesticides, disease, and climate change, it’s getting harder for them to survive, let alone thrive. And considering how much of our food and flower-filled landscapes depend on their hard work, that should be a big deal to all of us- because it does and will affect all of us!!

But the good news? There’s a lot we can do — right at home.

You don’t need to be a beekeeper or a scientist to help. Just planting a few pollinator-friendly flowers can make a big difference. Here are a few great options that bees and wasps love:

• Lavender

• Coneflowers (Echinacea)

• Black-eyed Susans

• Milkweed

• Wild thyme

• Bee balm

• Yarrow

Skip the pesticides when you can — even the “natural” ones can be harmful to pollinators. And if you’ve got a quiet corner in your yard, let it stay a little wild. .

Even just noticing and appreciating these tiny creatures more — and not reaching for the flyswatter or something such as Raid every time to kill them— is a simple but powerful step.

Did You Know?

• Some wasps are expert pollinators and natural pest control. They help manage pests like aphids, caterpillars, and even flies — so your garden stays healthy without chemicals.

• Not all bees live in hives! In fact, most native bees — like mason bees and leafcutter bees — live alone in small holes in the ground or in hollow stems. They’re gentle, non-aggressive, and incredibly efficient pollinators.🐝

• Wasps also play a critical role in ecosystems as decomposers. Some species help clean up by feeding on dead insects and organic waste.

• One-third of the food we eat depends on pollinators like bees — from apples and blueberries to almonds and even coffee! 🐝

  Bees and wasps often get the spotlight, but they’re part of a whole team of pollinators working behind the scenes to keep ecosystems thriving and food growing. Here’s a list of other important pollinators you might not think about right away:

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  🦋 Butterflies

  Elegant and colorful, butterflies are great at spreading pollen as they flit from flower to flower — especially during the day.

  🦇 Bats

  In warmer climates (like the Southwest U.S., Mexico, and tropical regions), certain bat species pollinate night-blooming plants like agave (hello, tequila!) and bananas.

  🐦 Hummingbirds

  These tiny birds are drawn to bright, tubular flowers. While sipping nectar, they brush against pollen and carry it flower to flower.

  🪰 Flies

  It might sound surprising, but many fly species — especially hoverflies — are fantastic pollinators. Some even mimic bees!

  🐞 Beetles

  Beetles were among the very first pollinators on Earth. They still play a role today, especially with ancient flowers like magnolias.

   Moths

  While butterflies are daytime pollinators, moths work the night shift. They love pale, fragrant flowers that open after dark.

  Want to help pollinators?
  🌸 Plant native flowers
  🚫 Avoid pesticides
  🏡 Leave some wild areas
  🌾 Include a mix of bloom times for year-round food If you’ve got a patch of yard, a few planters, or even just a sunny corner, planting things like lavender, milkweed, or native wildflowers can be a real gift to these little pollinators. Even just leaving a few “messy” areas for wildflowers to grow — like Queen Anne’s lace or goldenrod — helps more than you’d think.

So next time you see a bee or wasp near your deck, don’t panic! Let it bee-