Making a Home for Pollinators

About 75% of all flowering plants rely on animal pollinators
and over 200,000 species of animals act as pollinators.
Bats, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are some of the creatures who perform this amazing feat.

Without pollinators, many of our food crops would perish.
This includes blueberries, melons, coffee, almonds,
and one I don't wanna live without, chocolate.

Pollinators are fascinating to observe.
I encourage you to stroll your property
 or any nearby natural area,
and enjoy discovering how many pollinators share the space.

Ensuring that these helpful critters have ample nectar sources is important.
One way to accomplish this is to use plants that flower at various times of the year.
Using natives is the best option.

Avoiding pesticides is paramount to the health and well-being of pollinators.
If they're not healthy, they won't survive,
and we will diminish the array of delicious food choices we have to relish.

Providing a safe haven for pollinators allows them to go about their work
as well as allowing them a space to reproduce.
This ensures future generations of these magical creatures,
which in turn, benefits us all.

One thing that we do is host caterpillars.
We furnish nectar and host plants for the monarch, Gulf Fritillary
and Eastern Black Swallowtail butterflies.
It's not only easy to do,
but will foster a sense of appreciation for this place we call home.
We also share this experience with others,
by giving away the caterpillars on Craig's List,
so that others can allow the cycle to continue in their own gardens.

Lest you be worried that your yard will become unsafe due to all the stinging insects about,
rest assured that most bees will not sting.
Once they sting, they die,
and as August Boatwright said in the movie
"The Secret Life of Bees",
"No life-lovin' bee wants to sting you".
I find wasps to be a bit more aggressive,
but I offer them a wide berth.
There is plentiful room for us all to share.

 

I hope you are savoring the last remnants of summer

and unearthing the wonders of our world

right in your own backyard.

 For more information, read this.

More posts on hosting butterflies: 

Hosting butterflies 

Attracting Wildlife to Your Yard

 Butterflies are Welcome Here

Native Milkweed 

Video of caterpillar forming chrysalis