Bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, hummingbirds, and other pollinators help flowering plants reproduce. In doing so, they support the foods and habitats that wildlife and people depend upon.

You do not need a large garden to make a difference. Native flowers, safe nesting spaces, clean water, and pesticide-free care can turn even a small yard, patio, or balcony into a helpful pollinator stop.

Quick Answers About Solitary Bees

What is a solitary bee?

Unlike honeybees, most native bee species do not live in large colonies. Each female generally creates and provisions her own nest.

Are solitary bees aggressive?

Most solitary bees are gentle and rarely sting because they do not have a large colony or honey supply to defend.

Do solitary bees make honey?

No. Their important contribution is pollination.

Do all solitary bees use bee houses?

No. Some species nest in hollow stems or existing cavities, while many others create nests underground.

Helping Solitary Bees

Some solitary bees nest in hollow plant stems or existing holes in wood. Others make their nests underground, which means both aboveground nesting materials and small areas of undisturbed soil can be valuable.

Helpful resources include:

• Native flowers blooming from spring through fall
• A variety of flower shapes, sizes, and colors
• Undisturbed stems and leaf litter
• Small patches of bare, well-drained soil
• Protection from pesticides
• Clean, shallow water

Leave some hollow or pithy plant stems standing through winter. These natural materials may shelter developing bees until they emerge when temperatures warm.

Using a Bee House Responsibly

A well-maintained bee house can provide nesting cavities for mason bees, leafcutter bees, and other cavity-nesting species. However, a poorly designed or neglected insect hotel can concentrate parasites, mold, and disease.

Choose a bee house with:

• Removable paper tubes, natural reeds, or cleanable nesting trays
• Smooth nesting tunnels without splinters
• Tunnels that are closed at the back
• A roof or overhang that protects against rain
• A sturdy design that does not swing in the wind
• A range of appropriately sized openings

Mount the house securely in a sheltered location that receives morning sun. Keep the entrance visible and unobstructed by vegetation.

Avoid oversized bee hotels containing hundreds of permanent holes. Concentrating too many nests in one place can encourage parasites and disease. Several smaller nesting areas spread around the property are often easier to maintain.

Nesting materials should be replaced or properly cleaned between generations. A bee house that is never maintained may eventually do more harm than good.

For a closer look at choosing, placing, and maintaining safe nesting spaces, read our Wild Bird Warble article: Insect Hotels: How to Help Pollinators Safely.

 

Grow a Pollinator-Friendly Garden

Native plants are especially valuable because they have long relationships with local insects. Some specialized pollinators cannot use many common ornamental plants.

Choose several plant species with overlapping bloom times so nectar and pollen remain available from spring through fall. Planting flowers in groups can also make them easier for pollinators to find. Visit our Creating a Wildlife Habitat page for native plant resources.

Whenever possible, allow some seed heads, stems, leaves, and natural debris to remain through winter. This seemingly untidy habitat can shelter bees, butterflies, moths, and other beneficial insects.

Avoid Pesticides

Reducing pesticide use is one of the most meaningful ways to protect pollinators.

Avoid spraying blooming plants, and remember that products labeled “natural” or “organic” can still harm bees and other beneficial insects. If treatment is necessary, carefully follow the label and choose the most targeted approach available.

Healthy gardens also depend on insects. A few chewed leaves are often evidence that your yard is supporting the food web.

Provide Water Safely

Pollinators need water, but deep containers can create a drowning risk.

Provide a shallow dish with stones, pebbles, or other textured landing places. Replace the water frequently and clean the container regularly to prevent algae and mosquitoes.

Mud and damp soil can also provide water and nesting materials for certain bees and butterflies.

 

Help Pollinators at Home

Visit Wild Birds Unlimited of Colorado Springs to explore solitary bee houses, pollinator-friendly gifts, water options, and other ways to support the small creatures that help keep our ecosystems blooming.

Native plants, thoughtful maintenance, and a little tolerance for natural spaces can make your yard a safer and more useful habitat for pollinators.