Why doing less yardwork can help bees

Now that summer’s blooms have faded, some people’s thoughts may turn to tidying up their gardens. And while “messy” gardens might not appeal to everyone, those untended patches are critical for bees and other pollinators.

In fact, many insects and invertebrates thrive when we leave a few wilder places intact. For instance, tiny solitary bees can seek shelter in sunflower and blackberry stalks; mining bees overwinter in bare patches of soil; butterflies survive the colder months in hollow logs; and luna moths wait for spring’s arrival within leaf piles.

In short, leaving some wild patches intact in your outdoor spaces during the cold months can have as much impact on local critters’ well-being as the flowers that bloom each spring.

So go ahead, take a guilt-free break from yardwork this fall—and consider mowing less next season—to give bees and their wild buddies a chance to flourish.