There are about 1437 native bee species, and only 749 still exist. Leading causes of this include pesticide use and habitat loss. While most of this issues stem from big corporations or agricultural engineering, there are some changes you can make in your own backyard to help out your native bees. Read more about Missouri's native bee species here 1. Reduce use of pesticides There are many pesticides on the market that reduce a bees ability to function normally, or kill them outright. Chemicals such as neonicotinoids, carbamates, and organophosphates (which are found in many pesticides) are very toxic to bees. This is a huge issue in agriculture around the world. On a smaller scale, backyard or neighborhood gardens should try to greatly reduce their use of pesticides. 2. Plant a flower garden One of the biggest issues facing native bee populations is habitat loss. A fairly simple (and pretty) solution is planting flowers for bees to pollinate and live off of. It is best to plant flowers that bloom from early early spring to late fall. Some suggestions include alyssums, zinnias, sunflowers, and verbena. 3. Reduce mulch use
Some bees and bee species like to burrow underground in the colder months. Using mulch blocks off potential burrowing areas, thus leading to the loss of many bees. In your own backyard, consider using substitutes, such as grass, leaves, and composts.
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