With the hot weather, insect activity increases – notably pollinators – bringing the gardenalive. The buzzing, swirling activity in gardens is appreciated by gardeners at a time of concern about biodiversity.
Bumblebees are the most conspicuous pollinators. They make nests in the ground or hollow trees, that house up to 400 worker bees plus their queen. Nests die out in late summer but are building up now.
There are 26 species of bumblebee, eight of which are very common in gardens with every other garden being said to hold a bumblebee nest. Solitary bees – where each female constructs her own nest, and dies before her offspring emerge – are even more important as pollinators. Many need bare patches of soil into which to burrow.
Shorts
Avoid disturbing nests or burrows of these valuable pollinators, leaving undisturbed areas of grass and other vegetation or bare soil.
