How to Attract Bumblebees

Bumblebees are appealing to many people with their fat bodies and slow flight, and they are an important part of a wildlife garden. Bees, including bumblebees, also perform an essential pollinating function and keep populations of wildflowers and many crops going. With the recent problems experienced by honeybees of disease, mites and unexplained deaths, wild bumblebees are more important than ever. If you would like to attract more to your garden, then create an environment attractive to bumblebees.

Wildflower seeds
Bumblebee boxes
Scrap wood

Instructions

- 1
  Go organic. Pesticides, herbicides and fungicides are poisonous and don't just kill the organisms they are meant to. Organic gardening results in a less toxic, more balanced garden that is better for all wildlife including bumblebees.
- 2
  Plant suitable flowers and choose species native to your region if possible. Bumblebees are attracted to large clusters of nectar bearing flowers including lavender, Joe Pye weed, calamint, snapdragons and salvia. Plant a variety of flowers that will flower throughout the spring, summer and early fall.
- 3
  Put up bumblebee boxes. Bumblebees need places to nest, and with less natural habitat, a shortage of suitable nest sites are available for them. Mount a few boxes in quiet places in your garden.
- 4
  Create a woodpile. A large, loose pile of scrap wood, woody prunings and branches makes a home for all kinds of garden wildlife as well as bumblebees. Just don't burn it as a bonfire later.

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