Winter Warriors: How to Help Overwintering Bees (Ep 42)

Spring and summer aren’t the only important seasons in a native bee’s life. In some ways, a good winter means a successful spring emergence. You can lend a helping hand by creating a welcoming winter habitat; simple actions that will provide essential cover and insulation for overwintering bees. Help ensure our vital bees return in spring, ready to bring life to your garden.

Good to know

About 70% of the world’s 20,000 bee species lay eggs in underground nests. Please leave bare ground, preferably in dry, sunny spaces in your garden. And plant a few early-blooming flowers nearby so emerging bees have a quick food source when they wake up. 

Transcript

Welcome to The Bee’s Knees, I’m your host, Jacy Meyer. The Bee’s Knees is a podcast wild about native bees. Wild and native bees are under threat worldwide. In each episode we look at actionable things we can do to support these adorable little guys, whose pollination work is crucial for maintaining biodiversity. Thanks for being here.

As winter’s chill settles in and snow perhaps blankets the ground, do you wonder how on earth our tiny native bees manage to survive these cold and harsh conditions? Today I’m going to share some tips on how you can help bees overwinter.

Bears hibernate, many birds fly to warmer spots, but native bees aren’t going anywhere. Unlike their honeybee cousins, many don’t stay active during winter. They spend these cold months staying safely in their nest cells. These cells are either underground or inside snug cavities. Ground-nesting bees prefer loose soil and leaf litter to create a cozy environment to withstand the cold. Cavity-nesting bees—about a third of native species—opt for hollow plant stems or even holes in wood. Old wood and bark serve as shelters, offering refuge to leafcutter and mason bees among others. 

So what can you do to create a welcoming winter habitat for native bees?

First, leave the leaves: Instead of bagging up those autumn leaves, consider letting them lie. Spread them about two inches high across your garden beds. Not only do they provide mulch, but they also offer essential cover for overwintering bees.

Can you also hold off on the garden cleanup? Resist the urge to pull up dead annuals and perennials until spring. These plants can trap blowing leaves, forming a natural mulch that insulates bees beneath the soil.

Also, it’s so, so important to leave bare soil. Many wild bee species, including bumblebees, nest in the ground. Leave areas of bare soil undisturbed, especially in sunny spots that don’t flood.

Leaving dead logs around also provides a haven for bees under peeling bark. The bright green sweat bee, for example, may find refuge in these nooks.

If you’re worried about your yard looking messy, here’s a tip: tidy up the front edges of your garden for that neat appearance and leave the rest until spring. This simple act not only saves you time and energy but also supports the pollinators you cherish.

Thank you so much for providing critical winter habitats for native bees. Come spring, they’ll emerge happy and healthy, ready to pollinate your garden and delight you with their antics. Until next time, keep nurturing nature.