Free Zoom Webinar, March 21 at 7:00–8:00 pm

This month, the Great Swamp Watershed Association's "Plants for Pollinators" webinar series puts the focus on native bees and all they do for our ecosystem. Biologist, pollinator conservationist, and award-winning author Heather Holm will help us understand the fascinating ecology and amazing diversity of the more than 4,000 species of native bees in the U.S., and what we can all do to promote their busy, buzzy presence in our yards.

Whether you missed them or want to watch them again:

Presented by Hazel English, Director of Education, Outreach, and Land Stewardship at Great Swamp Watershed Association. Get an overview of the native pollinator plants and plant kits available, as well as a walk-through of the online storefront and ordering process. Plus, learn more about why this type of garden benefits your yard, your neighborhood, and our shared watershed.

Choose from an expanded variety of kits and individual species. Order online through Apr 28, then pick up your plants on Saturday, May 6 at a location near you. Learn more about native pollinator plants, get a preview of the sale, and find out what plants that will be available.

Many of the bees in your yard, including bumblebees, leaf cutter, and mason bees (among others) are native bees that are vulnerable to mosquito spraying and yard pesticides.

Unlike honey bees—which are domesticated insects that return to human-managed hives—most native bees nest in the ground. The remainder lay eggs in plant stems, old logs, and other above-ground cavities.

WIth the exception of bumblebees, which live in underground hives, native bees are solitary. Once males are reared, they are banished from the nest and live the rest of their lives in the open full-time, clinging to foliage and sitting in flowers. Mosquito spraying, even in shady areas, can harm them directly. Don't believe it if a pesticide professional tells you mosquito spraying won't harm bees, butterflies, and other insects.

Mosquito sprays are typically formulated with synthetic pyrethroids, which are broad-spectrum nerve toxins that are not specific to mosquitoes. The EPA says synthetic pyrethroids are “acutely toxic to bees and other insects.” While chemically similar to natural pyrethrins found in chrysanthemum flowers, synthetic pyrethroids have prolonged toxicity. They dry on foliage and persist, creating hazards for butterflies, bees, caterpillars and non-target insects that touch or eat treated foliage.

Safe and effective ways to ward mosquitoes off include oscillating fans (mosquitoes are weak flyers) and traps that lure female mosquitos and prevent their eggs from hatching. Douglas Tallamy, author of the best-seller Nature’s Best Hope,” has popularized a DIY trap made with a five-gallon bucket, water, straw and a Mosquito Dunk, a mosquito larvicide.

To learn more: Register for the webinar What's the Buzz About Native Bees?, watch the short PBS video The Power of Pollinators, and read the article "Bothered by these little suckers? Please don't spray."