attracting bees - Ask Extension
How do I attract bees. Last year I planted flowers, herbs, and vegetables that were supposed to attract bees. We also had flowering bushes and wildf...
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attracting bees #865987
Asked April 26, 2024, 12:35 PM EDT
How do I attract bees. Last year I planted flowers, herbs, and vegetables that were supposed to attract bees. We also had flowering bushes and wildflowers. No bees. We live between Falcon and Peyton south of Hwy 24 about 5 miles. Thank; you.
El Paso County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello Janet,
Thank you for your question how to create a habitat to attract bees. It is possible that the flowering plants you planted last year did not attract our native insects or honeybees. Honeybees are not native but used to pollinate 30% of our commercial crops including apples, cherries, peach trees, alfalfa, pumpkins, tomatoes, and melons, among others here in Colorado. Some Colorado native plants also provide sources of nectar and pollen for honeybees.
Colorado is home to 946 species of native bees, 250 species of butterflies and 1,000 species of moths. We have many native pollinators in our state.
https://ag.colorado.gov/plants/apiary-program-page/native-pollinators
I am sending information about Colorado native plants that attract honey bees plus how to create a native pollinator habitat.
https://pueblo.extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2018/07/HortNewsletterSummer2018.pdf
https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/insect/05616.pdf
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/creating-pollinator-habitat-5-616/
https://boulder.extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/05/Low-Water-Native-Plants-for-Pollinators-brochure-secured.pdf
https://arapahoe.extension.colostate.edu/horticulture/gardens-for-pollinators/
Have fun with creating your pollinator garden for our native insects and honeybees.
Thank you for your question how to create a habitat to attract bees. It is possible that the flowering plants you planted last year did not attract our native insects or honeybees. Honeybees are not native but used to pollinate 30% of our commercial crops including apples, cherries, peach trees, alfalfa, pumpkins, tomatoes, and melons, among others here in Colorado. Some Colorado native plants also provide sources of nectar and pollen for honeybees.
Colorado is home to 946 species of native bees, 250 species of butterflies and 1,000 species of moths. We have many native pollinators in our state.
https://ag.colorado.gov/plants/apiary-program-page/native-pollinators
I am sending information about Colorado native plants that attract honey bees plus how to create a native pollinator habitat.
https://pueblo.extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2018/07/HortNewsletterSummer2018.pdf
https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/insect/05616.pdf
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/creating-pollinator-habitat-5-616/
https://boulder.extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/05/Low-Water-Native-Plants-for-Pollinators-brochure-secured.pdf
https://arapahoe.extension.colostate.edu/horticulture/gardens-for-pollinators/
Have fun with creating your pollinator garden for our native insects and honeybees.
