Beyond the Honeybee: 5 Underrated Pollinators to Attract to Your Homestead

Have you noticed fewer bees buzzing around your zinnia patch this year? We all know about the industrious honeybee, flitting from blossom to blossom, diligently collecting nectar and pollen. But what if I told you there's a whole world of other vital pollinators, often overlooked, that are just as important – if not more so – to a thriving homestead?

While honeybees are undoubtedly valuable, over-reliance on a single species can be risky. A diverse ecosystem, buzzing with different types of pollinators, is a resilient ecosystem. In this post, you'll learn about five underrated pollinators, the secret allies that can power up your garden, and how to attract them to your homestead for a more productive and sustainable harvest. We'll explore these garden helpers common to the US and other climates, ensuring your garden's pollination needs are fully met.

1. The Mason Bee: Solitary Superstars

Forget the hive mind. Mason bees are solitary insects, meaning they don't live in colonies and each female is responsible for her own offspring. This unique lifestyle makes them incredibly efficient pollinators, particularly for fruit trees and early spring crops. They are active in cooler temperatures than honeybees. They're also much less aggressive, as they have no hive to defend!

"I used to struggle with my apple tree bearing fruit," shares community member Sarah from our online forum. "Then I put up a mason bee house, and the difference was incredible! The tree was buzzing, and the harvest was the best I've ever had."

• How to Attract Mason Bees:

  • Build or Buy a Mason Bee House: These consist of tubes or holes that mason bees use as nesting sites. You can DIY one using drilled wood blocks or cardboard tubes, or purchase ready-made houses online.
  • Placement is Key: Position the house in a sunny location, facing east or southeast, to catch the morning sun. Ensure it's protected from wind and rain.
  • Provide Mud: Mason bees use mud to seal their nests. Ensure a source of mud is available nearby. A damp area in your garden will do, or you can create a "mud pie" using clay-rich soil and water.
  • Plant Early Bloomers: Mason bees are active early in the spring. Provide a variety of early-blooming flowers and fruit trees like willows, maples, and serviceberries.

• Key Takeaway: Mason bees are gentle, hard-working pollinators easily attracted with simple nesting solutions and early-blooming plants.

2. Flower Flies (Hoverflies): The Master of Disguise

Don't be fooled by their wasp-like appearance! Flower flies, also known as hoverflies, are excellent pollinators. More than that, their larvae are voracious predators of aphids, making them a valuable ally in organic pest control. These unsung heroes pollinate a wide range of plants. It’s also worth noting that these flies cannot sting, so they are safe to have around. Many times, people are surprised to learn that these are flies!

• How to Attract Hoverflies:

  • Plant Umbel-Shaped Flowers: Dill, fennel, parsley, and other plants in the carrot family produce clusters of tiny flowers that are irresistible to hoverflies.
  • Include Yarrow, Zinnias, and Sunflowers: These colorful blooms provide abundant nectar and pollen.
  • Avoid Broad-Spectrum Pesticides: These chemicals can harm hoverfly larvae, undoing their pest-control benefits. Opt for organic pest control methods instead.
  • Provide Water: Hoverflies need water, especially on hot days. Provide shallow dishes of water with pebbles for them to land on.

• Key Takeaway: Attract hoverflies for both pest control and pollination benefits. They are a natural, two-in-one solution for a thriving, organic garden.

3. Bumble Bees: Fuzzy & Hardy Workhorses

These fuzzy, charismatic insects are powerhouses in the pollinator world. Bumble bees are especially important for pollinating tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants – plants that require "buzz pollination." They are able to grip the flower and vibrate their bodies, which dislodges the pollen. Honeybees cannot do this. Compared to honeybees, bumble bees are resilient in cooler temperatures. They even pollinate in adverse weather conditions!

• How to Support Bumble Bees:

  • Provide Nesting Sites: Bumble bees nest in undisturbed grassy areas, brush piles, and even old rodent burrows. Leave some areas of your yard unmowed and allow leaf litter to accumulate.
  • Plant a Variety of Flowers: Choose a mix of flowers with different bloom times to provide a continuous source of nectar and pollen throughout the season.
  • Avoid Disturbing Nests: If you find a bumble bee nest, leave it undisturbed. They are not aggressive unless provoked.

• Key Takeaway: Support bumble bees with nesting habitats and diverse floral resources for reliable pollination in challenging conditions.

4. Butterflies: Winged Jewels and Pollen Carriers

Butterflies aren't just beautiful – they're also important pollinators, especially for late-season blooms. While they may not carry as much pollen as bees, they visit a wide range of flowers and contribute to overall pollination success. The most important thing is to remember that butterflies can be sustained through planting. Plant flowers that both the caterpillar and adult butterfly can feed on.

• How to Create a Butterfly Haven:

  • Plant Host Plants: These are specific plants that butterfly larvae (caterpillars) feed on. Milkweed is essential for monarch butterflies, while dill, fennel, and parsley are host plants for swallowtail butterflies.
  • Provide Nectar-Rich Flowers: Coneflowers, butterfly bushes, zinnias, and other colorful blooms provide nectar for adult butterflies.
  • Create a Butterfly Garden: Design a garden with sunny, sheltered areas and a source of water.

• Key Takeaway: Create a butterfly-friendly garden that supports both adult butterflies and their larvae for ongoing pollination and beauty.

5. Beetles: The Ancient Pollinators

Believe it or not, beetles were among the earliest pollinators on Earth! Often overlooked, beetles pollinate early-blooming flowers, as well as some fruits. Many plants with sturdy structures are pollinated by beetles.

• How to Welcome Beetles:

  • Plant Beetle-Attracting Flowers: Magnolias, spicebush, and dogwoods are all attractive to beetles.
  • Provide Water: Beetles need a source of water, especially in hot weather. A shallow dish of water with pebbles will do the trick.
  • Minimize Pesticide Use: Beetles are often susceptible to pesticides, so it's important to minimize their use in your garden.

• Key Takeaway: Welcome beetles as early-season pollinators by providing their preferred flowers and avoiding harmful pesticides.

Embrace Pollinator Diversity

A truly thriving homestead garden is one buzzing with life – not just honeybees, but mason bees, hoverflies, bumble bees, butterflies, and even beetles. The more diverse your pollinator population, the more resilient and productive your garden will be. Take time to observe your garden and identify the different pollinators that visit. This will help you tailor your planting and management practices to support their needs.

As the growing season wraps up, now is the perfect time to start planning and planting for pollinators next year! By taking these steps, you're not just increasing your harvest; you're contributing to a healthier ecosystem and a more sustainable future. Creating a pollinator-friendly garden is a small but meaningful step towards a more sustainable future.

Now it's your turn! Share your experiences with attracting different pollinators in the comments below. What are some uncommon pollinators you've observed in your garden? We'd love to hear your tips and tricks for creating a pollinator paradise! And don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to receive more tips on sustainable homesteading!