Fall is an important time to create habitat for bumble bees and other native pollinators. Consider leaving some "natural chaos" in the spaces you manage, including newly fallen leaves, rotting logs, and loose dirt. These elements benefit overwintering queens that need insulation and materials to build their overwintering sites. In this vein, Xerces launched its Leave the Leaves campaign last year. This movement encourages homeowners to simply leave their leaves and provides ideas on beneficial ways to incorporate them into the landscape.
Using Bumble Bee Watch Records to Guide Plant Choice
Bumble bees need floral resources throughout their active periods to sustain their populations. Careful planning now can make a big difference when bumble bees need food the most: as they emerge from their winter slumber. For guidance on their habitat needs and preferred forage plants, in addition to plant lists available from Xerces and other sources, we've searched Bumble Bee Watch for some bumble bee specific recommendations. Learn more about what you can do to help sustain bumble bees throughout the year in your landscape.
