An ideal pollinator landscape provides abundant food sources and nesting habitats. To help pollinators like the rusty patched bumblebee, plant pollinator-friendly plants, minimize pesticide use, and maintain undisturbed areas.
Minimize Pesticide Use for Pollinator Health
- Identify and understand pests and beneficial insects.
- Accept some insect damage on plants.
- Use pesticides only when necessary.
- Look for the pollinator protection box on insecticide labels and follow the label exactly. The label is the law.
- Apply when bees are not foraging (early morning or evening, or when air temperatures are below 55 degrees fahrenheit.)
- Prevent drift when applying pesticides.
Undisturbed Areas are Ideal for Pollinator Nesting
- Avoid disturbing areas where pollinator activity is already present.
- Leave downed logs, clumps of grasses, leaf litter, flower stem, and bare spots to provide nesting and overwintering habitat for pollinators.