How You Can Help the First Endangered U.S. Bee Species
The U.S. has acted to protect the rusty patched bumblebee, whose numbers have plunged. Here’s what you can do at home
Annie Thornton
January 12, 2017
Houzz Editorial Staff
This week, the rusty patched bumblebee (Bombus affinis) became the first bee in the contiguous United States to be officially listed as an endangered species. The native bumblebee, once prevalent in the eastern U.S. and upper Midwest, will now receive federal protection under the Endangered Species Act in an effort to prevent its extinction.
“The significance of its listing is enormous,” says Rich Hatfield, senior endangered species conservation biologist at the Xerces Society. “It is an acknowledgement from the Fish and Wildlife Service that this species has indeed undergone significant precipitous decline, and is deserving of federal action to protect it from extinction.”
“The significance of its listing is enormous,” says Rich Hatfield, senior endangered species conservation biologist at the Xerces Society. “It is an acknowledgement from the Fish and Wildlife Service that this species has indeed undergone significant precipitous decline, and is deserving of federal action to protect it from extinction.”
Steve Evans
Photo by Steve Evans
Why the rusty patched bumblebee is important. Native bees, of which there are nearly 4,000 in the U.S., are important pollinators of wildflowers and food crops. Many have seen their numbers dwindle over the years due to factors like disease, habitat loss and insecticide use.
The rusty patched bumblebee, one of the first species of bees to emerge from hibernation each spring, has felt this impact heavily over recent decades. Since the late 1990s, its decline has been swift, with the Fish and Wildlife Service estimating a population loss of 87 percent. The rusty patch bumblebee once inhabited 28 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. Today it resides in small, isolated pockets in only 13 states and one Canadian province — an 87 percent loss of its historic geographic range, according to the Xerces Society.
Why the rusty patched bumblebee is important. Native bees, of which there are nearly 4,000 in the U.S., are important pollinators of wildflowers and food crops. Many have seen their numbers dwindle over the years due to factors like disease, habitat loss and insecticide use.
The rusty patched bumblebee, one of the first species of bees to emerge from hibernation each spring, has felt this impact heavily over recent decades. Since the late 1990s, its decline has been swift, with the Fish and Wildlife Service estimating a population loss of 87 percent. The rusty patch bumblebee once inhabited 28 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. Today it resides in small, isolated pockets in only 13 states and one Canadian province — an 87 percent loss of its historic geographic range, according to the Xerces Society.
What their protection means. With this listing, the Fish and Wildlife Service can now regulate actions that may harm this species more or prevent its recovery. “This potentially includes the use of pesticides, the distribution of commercial bumblebees and the conversion of natural habitat — along with many other factors,” Hatfield says.
How you can help. While these bees will now receive federal protection to aid in their recovery, there’s plenty we can do to help them, as well as the many other native bees, in our own backyards.
“The best thing that homeowners can do is to create habitat,” Hatfield says. He says that rusty patched bumblebees and other pollinators need three things to survive:
Get involved with the Xerces Society: Bring Back the Pollinators campaign
More
How to Design a Garden for Native Bees
Support Bumblebees by Providing Forage in 3 Seasons
Gardening for the Bees, and Why It’s a Good Thing
How to help your town’s beneficial birds and bugs
“The best thing that homeowners can do is to create habitat,” Hatfield says. He says that rusty patched bumblebees and other pollinators need three things to survive:
- Native forage flowers for adult bees from early spring through fall.
- A bee-safe yard that doesn’t have diseases or pesticides on flowering plants.
- A secure place for bees to build their nests and overwinter. Do not disturb a bumblebee nest in the landscape.
Get involved with the Xerces Society: Bring Back the Pollinators campaign
More
How to Design a Garden for Native Bees
Support Bumblebees by Providing Forage in 3 Seasons
Gardening for the Bees, and Why It’s a Good Thing
How to help your town’s beneficial birds and bugs
Whispering Pine Construction will build your house to your specifications. Our residential new construction crew... Read More
What are you working on?
Related Products
Whatever your next project may entail, Whisler Home Improvement is here to help. We are committed to treating our... Read More
Related Stories
Landscape Design
What Will We Want in Our Landscapes in 2024?
Discover seven trends that landscape designers predict homeowners will be bringing into their outdoor spaces this year
Full Story
Spring Gardening
8 Tips to Get Your Early-Spring Garden Ready for the Season
Find out how to salvage plants, when to cut back damaged branches, when to mulch and more
Full Story
Winter Gardening
How to Prune Your Fruit Trees in Winter
Garden chores may slow down this season, but pruning your fruit trees now means healthier plants that will produce more
Full Story
Winter Gardening
Get a Head Start on Planning Your Garden Even if It’s Snowing
Reviewing what you grew last year now will pay off when it’s time to head outside
Full Story
Landscape Design
Pros Share Their Top Plant Picks for a Low-Maintenance Yard
Landscape pros weigh in on the plants they’d use — and ones they’d avoid — to create an easy-care garden
Full Story
Landscape Design
10 Tips for Planting a Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Landscape
Landscape pros share their advice for planning a garden that’s easy to care for
Full Story
Gardening Guides
12 Gardening Ideas You Can Count as Resolutions
See how to set up your outdoor areas for more enjoyment next year and make them a bit more earth-friendly in the process
Full Story
Holidays
Last-Minute Ideas for Attractive Winter Container Designs
Create a welcoming holiday entryway with ideas from these 9 looks
Full Story
Winter Gardening
8 Tips for Keeping Your Houseplants Healthy in Winter
Reduce watering, stop fertilizing, move them into the light and more
Full Story
Fall Gardening
7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden
Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax
Full Story
Thank you Goodewyfe and Linda! There are some areas that are covered from anything drifting over (like the backyard and east side of the house). I like planting all around the house though. My city even sprays for mosquitoes in Summer, but if you call the city, they put a red looking metal flag at your house so your house doesn't get sprayed. Attached are some pics of the flowers I get (from Spring to late Fall).
Comfrey:
Pollinating the cucumber flowers:
Forget me nots:
Sage:
Yarrow, hyssop and other:
Bushes in front of the house. These open early in Spring and bees like them:
Sunflower and a visitor:
All wildlife is invited to my yard! I try to have shelter, water areas, food for the birds (only in Winter), etc. Every year I remove a little grass section from my front lawn in order to plant more. At first, my hubby was a little concerned, but he finally understood how important this is to me. I mean, sometimes I see the neighbors spraying and I get disheartened and feel like giving up, but then the hubby is the one that encourages me to continue to do what I love, so here I am. :)
Yany, your yard looks beautiful and I see how many things you've planted to help pollinators.
Yany and Linda Lee Thank you for the great tips!