Protect Pollinators This Spring in Wausau

Although we have gorgeous weather this weekend, please resist cleaning up your yards and spend time outdoors in other fun ways this weekend!

WHY? Pollinators and other insects (which our very food supply depends on) are still in the leaves and other debris.

Bees and other pollinators touch our lives every day. About 85% of the world’s flowering plants and 35% of the world’s food crops (one in three bites of food we eat) depend on insect and animal pollinators to reproduce. Economically, insect pollinators contribute billions of dollars to U.S. farm income.

While more than 3,500 species of native bees help increase crop yields, pollinators include insects and animals such as bees, wasps, moths, flies, butterflies, beetles, birds and even small mammals such as bats.

Since 1970, bird species have declined by over three billion birds. While several factors are involved, a dramatic decrease in insects plays a major role because they’re an important food source for our birds. Insect populations have been declining globally, with some places reporting anywhere from a 40-75% decline in the last 40 years.

Along with plants, insects (including flies and mosquitos) are actually the foundation of the food web. Removing them from the food chain threatens other species and ultimately, us. We may hate mosquitoes, but they provide a tremendous amount of food to frogs and birds.

There are three to four main factors:

  • Habitat loss and degradation
  • Pesticide use
  • Invasive species, and
  • Climate change

We can help change this decline with being careful not to spring into garden cleanup too soon by following these measures:

  • Is the temperature reliably in the 50’s? 

Would I plant tomatoes now? Any gardener will tell you it’s not a good idea to plant your tomatoes outdoors until evening temperatures are reliably in the 50s. If it’s time to plant tomatoes, chances are conditions are neither too hot nor too cold for pollinators to be out and about.

Is the lawn growing tall?  Cool-season lawns begin growing when soil temperatures reach 50 degrees. If grass is growing enough to justify regular mowing, it’s probably a safe bet that most pollinators have emerged. To help pollinators the most, wait a little longer to mow.

  • Wait to cut back perennial stems and clearing garden debris

Some bees don’t emerge until late May, so the longer you can tolerate your “messy” garden the better.

  • Resist the temptation of spring fever

Instead of cleaning up as beautiful weather arrives, please press pause and find other ways to occupy your weekends.  Instead of disturbing critical habitat, read a book, do a jigsaw puzzle, do your taxes, tidy up the garage, or clean the gutters. While you may be eager to get outside and play in the garden – there will be time enough to toil in the soil before you know it!

https://xerces.org/blog/dont-spring-into-garden-cleanup-too-soon
https://monarchjointventure.org/blog/hold-off-on-spring-garden-cleanup