Save the Bees with Native Plants!

If you're like me, you've either started working on your garden or planning to start, and one major impact we can have on protecting bees and other pollinators is by planting pollinator-friendly native plants.

Why plant native plants?
Pollinators have evolved to feed and pollinate with native plants. Native plants thrive in the climate and soil and can adequately feed the pollinators in that area. Non-native plants may not provide enough nutrients for those insects to thrive.

Common Plants Across the Eastern United States:
Golden Alexanders
Wild Geranium
Wild Bergamot
Different variations based on region:
Milkweed
Goldenrod
Aster
Blazing Star

For a detailed list broken down by regions- check out this resource. Planting native plants is most important, so always double check! 

To weed or not to weed?
It is best not to use heavy mulch or weed cloth in flower beds as many bees nest underground or around the flooring of flower beds. When it comes to your lawn, allow the flowering weeds to flower. If it bothers you, mow after they have flowered. Use chlorantraniliprole sprays instead of imidacloprid or clothianidin.

What happens if we don't?
Habitat loss and pesticide usage have caused a major decrease in pollinators. Pollinators are responsible for 1 in 3 bites of food. Additionally, healthy plants rely on pollinators and humans rely on healthy plants, not only for food but also to reduce carbon dioxide.

What Thoughtful Hive is doing
To do our part, Thoughtful Hive is committed to only using beeswax cultivated from ethical beekeepers that monitor and care for their bees and do not excessively remove beeswax, which harms the bees. Additionally, portions of our profits are donated to nonprofits working to rebuild bee populations, like The Bee Conservancy and The Bee Girl.  

Other helpful resources- https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/documents/AttractingPollinatorsV5.pdf
https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/smart_lawn_care_to_protect_pollinators