Most of us don’t like bugs. We get that. We are in the pest control business, after all. But there’s a specific segment of the insect population (and a few who aren’t insects at all) that we’d all be in deep, deep trouble without. We’re talking, of course, about pollinators! Read on to learn how you can attract them to your Will County yard, giving them a better chance at success in the process.
What are Pollinators?
According to pollinators.org, “Pollinating animals travel from plant to plant carrying pollen on their bodies in a vital interaction that allows the transfer of genetic material critical to the reproductive system of most flowering plants.” Put simply; pollinators are the backbone of ecological systems worldwide, many of which we rely on heavily for food and essential raw materials. A few examples of common pollinating animals include:
- Bats
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Small mammals
- Wasps
Are Pollinators in Trouble?
Sadly, yes. A staggering number of pollinator species are currently listed as being endangered. Not only is this troubling from an ecological standpoint, it can potentially have unimaginable consequences for our food and agricultural systems. Fortunately, though, there’s quite a bit that you can do to help curb the damage that both climate change and chemical pollution have done in recent decades. Keep reading to find out!
How Can I Help?
If you want to help your local pollinator population, it all starts at home. Creating a pollinator-friendly yard is both a rewarding experience and an invaluable way to provide these essential animals with the help they need. Better still, it’s not even that hard! Here’s what you need to do.
Choose Pollinator-Friendly Plants
Step one in creating a pollinator garden is choosing pollinator-friendly plants. These will change drastically, depending on where you are but here around Will County and across Illinois, a few reliable choices include:
- Asters
- Beebalm
- Butterfly Weed
- Foxgloves
- Milkweed
- Mint
- Tomatoes
- Sunflowers
And many more!
Establishing a vibrant, healthy garden full of your local pollinators’ favorite plants won’t just attract interesting wildlife to your home. Rather, it will provide a critical food source for pollinating animals of all kinds, which can be a boon to your local ecosystem. Here’s another great resource to help you get started.
Plant in Drifts
Landscape designers might cringe when they read this, but planting wide, irregular swaths of similarly-colored plants, known as drifts, is a great idea when trying to establish a pollinator garden. From bees to hummingbirds and everything in between, pollinators are attracted to colors. Bright colors are how they identify the plants on which they want to feed, and as such, adding large areas of color to your yard will go a long way toward attracting them. Why not make their lives a little easier and show pollinators exactly where they can get something to eat?
Provide Nesting Areas In Your Will County Yard
It’s not just food that attracts pollinators to your yard. Viable nesting areas are every bit as important, so providing a few safe, comfortable places in which pollinating animals can establish nests and breeding areas is a must. Whether you want to build a few bee hotels or establish butterfly egg-friendly plants like parsley, dill, fennel, and especially milkweed, giving pollinators, safe nesting areas is a critical step in establishing your garden.
Avoid Harmful Chemicals With Organic Based Lawn Care
Exposure to harsh chemicals, particularly pesticides and lawn care products, can have a devastating impact on local pollinator populations. While many lawn care and pest control companies in Will County rely heavily on such products, regardless of the consequences, we at Pure Prairie Organics do things differently. Our organic-based lawn care uses only 100% organic and chemical-free fertilizers and lawn care products which give you the gorgeous lawn you’ve always wanted while still keeping pollinators safe.
In Conclusion
Yes, pollinator species are in trouble. However, it’s not too late to bring them back from the edge, and by establishing a healthy pollinator garden, you’re doing your part. Taken as a whole, these small steps can have reverberating benefits for a wide variety of pollinator species and benefit ecosystems both in Will County and beyond. So whether you’re a gardening enthusiast, an enthusiastic novice, or just looking for a new project, we promise that establishing a pollinator-friendly yard is worth the effort.
Protect Pollinators With Organic Based Lawn Care Now With Pure Prairie Organics
Want to get started on your eco-friendly yard? Call Pure Prairie today at 630-780-7939 and ask about our organic-based lawn care.
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