The Buzz on Bees: Why Supporting Pollinators Starts at Home

PROTECTING POLLINATORS

The Quiet Power of Pollinators

Bees may be small, but their impact is massive. As essential pollinators, bees are responsible for one out of every three bites of food we eat. From fruits and vegetables to flowers and herbs, these buzzing workers are the unsung heroes of both our food system and our gardens.

The Decline of Pollinators: A Growing Concern

Despite their importance, bee populations are in serious decline. Factors like pesticide use, habitat loss, climate change, and disease are threatening pollinators worldwide. But here’s the hopeful part — you don’t need a sprawling farm to make a difference. Supporting bees starts at home: in your garden, on your balcony, or even through the products you buy.

Why Bees Matter, and Why We Should Care

Bees do far more than make honey — they’re critical to maintaining healthy ecosystems and food supplies. Here's why bees matter:

🐝Pollinate Over 75% of Flowering Plants

➳ Bees enable plants to reproduce by transferring pollen from flower to flower — a process essential for growth and regeneration.

🌍 Support Biodiversity

➳ By helping plants thrive, bees maintain the balance of natural ecosystems and support countless other species.

🫐 Boost Food Security

➳ Bees help pollinate essential food crops like almonds, apples, blueberries, and cucumbers, which are crucial for a healthy, sustainable diet.

🦋 Support Other Wildlife

➳ Many birds, insects, and animals rely on plants pollinated by bees for food and shelter. When bees thrive, so does our planet.

5 Easy Ways to Create a Bee-Friendly Garden at Home

You don’t have to be a beekeeper to make a difference. Small changes in your garden, patio, or even windowsill can help save the bees and protect essential pollinators. Here are five easy and impactful ways to create a bee-friendly garden at home.

1. Plant a Pollinator Garden

One of the most powerful ways to help pollinators is to plant a garden that attracts bees. Bees rely on a variety of flowering plants to provide the nectar and pollen they need to survive. Choosing the right plants can transform your outdoor space into a pollinator paradise.

➳ Native Plants: Bees are naturally drawn to flowers that evolved in their local ecosystems. Include native plants like echinacea, bee balm, goldenrod, lavender, sunflowers, and coneflowers — all of which are rich in nectar and pollen.

➳ Variety of Bloom Times: Choose plants that bloom across seasons. Spring flowers like crocuses and primroses offer early nectar, while summer blooms like zinnias and cosmos keep bees fed throughout the warmer months.

➳ Create Habitat Diversity: Mix flowering plants with shrubs and trees to provide shelter and nesting sites. Let part of your garden grow wild — bees need natural, undisturbed areas to nest and thrive.

2. Avoid Pesticides

Many conventional pesticides — even those labelled “natural” — can harm bees by affecting their navigation, reproduction, or directly poisoning them. Here's how to maintain a healthy garden without harming pollinators:

➳ Go Organic: Use organic pest control methods. Companion planting (e.g., marigolds near tomatoes, basil near peppers) is a natural way to keep pests at bay.

➳ DIY Pest Deterrents: Mix water, a drop of mild soap, and essential oils like peppermint or neem to gently deter unwanted insects — without harming bees.

➳ Encourage Natural Predators: Invite beneficial bugs like ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory beetles to naturally manage pest populations while leaving pollinators unharmed.

3. Add a Bee Bath

Just like any other creature, bees need water to survive, but they can't always access a reliable water source. Providing a bee bath in your garden is a simple way to give bees the hydration they need to stay active.

➳ Shallow Water Dish: Use a shallow dish or bowl, like a ceramic saucer, and fill it with water. Add small pebbles, marbles, or sticks so that the bees can land safely without the risk of drowning. The pebbles give the bees a place to stand while drinking.

➳ Sunny Placement: Place your bee bath in a sunny spot, ideally near flowers. This way, bees can hydrate while also foraging for nectar. It will also help attract other pollinators like butterflies.

➳ Keep It Fresh: Clean and refill your bee bath regularly to keep it free from algae or mosquito larvae.

4. Leave Some Wild Spaces

Bees, especially ground-nesting species, need spaces to nest, rest, and shelter. While it might be tempting to keep your yard or garden neat and tidy, allowing certain areas to grow wild can provide much-needed habitat for bees.

➳ Let Some Grass Grow: Instead of mowing your lawn regularly, allow sections to grow long. Grasses like clover, dandelions, and wildflowers can become important food sources for pollinators.

➳ Wildflower Patches: Consider letting small patches of your garden bloom into wildflower meadows. Wildflowers such as poppies, daisies, and goldenrod can support a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds.

➳ Create Bee Hotels: If you have space, create a bee hotel using hollow bamboo sticks or wooden blocks with drilled holes. These provide safe nesting sites for solitary bee species like mason bees and leafcutter bees.

5. Shop Bee-Friendly

While taking action in your own backyard is essential, supporting companies and farmers who prioritize sustainable, pollinator-friendly practices can amplify your impact. From the food you buy to the products you support, conscious consumerism plays a huge role in helping bees thrive.

➳ Support Local Honey Producers: Buying honey from local beekeepers supports small-scale, sustainable farming practices that are beneficial to pollinators. When you choose raw, unfiltered honey, you also support bees' natural behaviours, as well as local biodiversity.

➳ Choose Eco-Certified Labels: Look for certifications like USDA Organic, Fair Trade, or Bee-Friendly Farming to ensure your purchases support pollinator-safe practices.

➳ Buy Eco-Conscious Art: At La Maison Belle, we support sustainability in both our artwork and business practices. Many of our pieces are inspired by nature and emphasize the importance of environmental conservation. You can contribute to saving bees by supporting brands that prioritize eco-friendly materials, sustainable production, and conservation awareness.

Additional Considerations to Support Pollinators at Home

➳ Plant Fruit Trees: Trees like apple, cherry, and almond trees provide essential food for bees during early spring, when bees emerge from winter. If you have the space, consider planting fruit-bearing trees to contribute to pollinator health.

➳ Educate and Share: Share your knowledge and experiences with family, friends, and neighbours. The more people who are aware of the importance of pollinators, the greater the collective impact. Host a community garden or backyard event to raise awareness about supporting bees.

Art, Awareness, and Conservation

Supporting pollinators is about more than just protecting bees — it’s about protecting the future of our planet. From planting wildflowers to supporting sustainable art, every action helps build a better, greener world.

At La Maison Belle, we believe art and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Our nature-inspired collections reflect our commitment to conservation and our love for the beauty of the natural world. Together, through small daily choices and intentional design, we can help pollinators — and the planet — thrive.

Let’s keep the buzz alive — for the bees, the earth, and the generations to come.