Q&A - Why don't I have any pollinators on my flowers?
Question:
I have two raised beds full of plants such as verbena, zinnia, lantana, milkweed, salvia and others in order to attract pollinators. The beds were planted over a month ago and are full of glorious flowers. My problem: there are no pollinators with the exception of a few bees and one or two small butterflies. Why don’t I have any pollinators on my flowers? Have we killed them all off with our poisonous sprays?
Answer:
David Glover, the Bartlett Bee Whisperer, says that you have to look at where the pollinators are. There are food deserts for bees too. If there are no bee hives within a few miles of your flowers there will be no bees. Also, the bees eat what they most like so if there is a more attractive food source closer by their hive they will go there. It is possible that the bees will arrive soon. Laurie Williams from the Memphis Botanic Garden says that to attract butterflies you need to have food for the caterpillars too. Also, don’t smash the caterpillars.
Related Videos:
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Related Resources:
Attracting Pollinators to the Garden
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I have two raised beds full of plants such as verbena, zinnia, lantana, milkweed, salvia and others in order to attract pollinators. The beds were planted over a month ago and are full of glorious flowers. My problem: there are no pollinators with the exception of a few bees and one or two small butterflies. Why don’t I have any pollinators on my flowers? Have we killed them all off with our poisonous sprays?
Answer:
David Glover, the Bartlett Bee Whisperer, says that you have to look at where the pollinators are. There are food deserts for bees too. If there are no bee hives within a few miles of your flowers there will be no bees. Also, the bees eat what they most like so if there is a more attractive food source closer by their hive they will go there. It is possible that the bees will arrive soon. Laurie Williams from the Memphis Botanic Garden says that to attract butterflies you need to have food for the caterpillars too. Also, don’t smash the caterpillars.
Related Videos:
Butterflies
How do I attract Butterflies and bees to my shady yard?
Related Resources:
Attracting Pollinators to the Garden
Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden
Pollinator Gardening