Precious Pollinators

Do all bees live in hives? If asked, many people would say yes. You might be surprised to learn only honeybees and bumblebees are social and live in hives. The rest are solitary, with seventy percent living in the ground!

Bees are pollinators. Pollinators are crucial to the success of flowering plants by transporting pollen, thus allowing fertilization to occur. We would not have fruits and vegetables on our kitchen tables without them. They are vital to California's agriculture industry.

California's wide diversity of habitats supports a corresponding diversity of pollinators. Bees are the main pollinators with butterflies, other insects, and some birds such as hummingbirds also playing important roles. California has an estimated 1,200 – 1,500 native bees and over 200 species of butterflies.

What do Pollinators Require?

Pollinators need a diversity of flowers with lots of nectar and pollen. They require easy access to flowers blooming throughout the seasons, particularly during late winter, early spring, and late autumn seasons when fewer flowers bloom. Different flowers provide differing amounts of nectar. Native plants generally provide more nutritious nectar for pollinators, so they attract more pollinators.

Due to climate change, the reduction of native habitats, and environmental chemicals, many pollinators are struggling. Providing plants in our gardens that attract pollinators can produce lovely, colorful landscapes while also benefiting pollinators.

Visit La Loma Native Plant Garden's Festival

You can see native plants that attract pollinators by visiting La Loma's Native plant garden on 1805 Encina Avenue in Modesto anytime. Or attend the Pollinator Festival, a free event held by the North San Joaquin Chapter of the California Native Plant Society on Saturday, April 13th 2024 from 10am – 2pm. Stop by the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener booth to see our insect collection and get a free packet of flower seeds.

The event will have a pollinator parade at 10:15, as well as face painting, music, food, and more! You can also hear from an entomologist on the importance of pollinators.

Learn More In-Depth Information About Pollinators at Library Talks

Want to learn more about the variety of bees, their different nests, and about other valuable pollinators? During the month of April, the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County will be giving talks on Pollinator Plants at county libraries. You will hear about the different pollinators you may find in your garden, what flowers attract them, native vs. non-native plants, and resources for developing pollinator-friendly gardens.

Denise Godbout-Avant has been a UC Cooperative Extension Master Garden in Stanislaus County since 2020.