The Best Way You Can Save the Bees and Butterflies

Bee colonies are rapidly declining, which spells bad news for the environment. As of 2025, annual honey bee colony losses in the U.S. are projected to reach between 60% and 70%. Although not all butterfly species are endangered, some, such as the monarch butterfly, are considered threatened or endangered in parts of their range as well. Butterflies are just as important as bees, providing crucial support during pollination season. The ripple effect of losing pollinators would impact agriculture and air quality, and the consequences could even be felt in your own backyard. While there’s no denying the statistics are grim, there is some good news: No matter where you live, you can help ensure the survival of pollinators in many small ways.

Delay Your Yard Clean-Up

It’s common to want a perfectly manicured lawn. But while this may add to your home’s curb appeal, it often destroys what belongs to the bees. Bumblebee queens overwinter in piles of dead leaves or dense foliage, which is frequently cleared away on the first sunny day of the year. Instinct might tell you to get cleaning, but Mother Nature would prefer you delay the yard clean-up until the bees, caterpillars, and other pollinators are awake. Using leaf blowers, rakes, lawnmowers, and other powerful tools can destroy the homes of overwintering bees and kill other hibernating insects.

Instead, leave your yard alone until temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures pollinators have plenty of time to emerge safely from hibernation. After the first week of warm temperatures, you’ll likely notice more butterflies, bumblebees, and honey bees flying about. This indicates that it’s safe to resume yardwork. If you must clear away some leaf debris, do so gently and leave some piles intact to protect any overwintering pollinators. However, avoid mowing until temperatures are consistently warm, as this poses the greatest risk to bees nesting underground.

Plant Bee and Butterfly-Friendly Foliage

Butterfly gardens are beautiful, but did you know they’re also great for bees? Bees are attracted to the nectar of most butterfly-friendly plants, and encouraging pollination is one of the most effective ways to support their survival. Some especially pollinator-friendly plants include:

• Daisies

• Sunflowers

• Marigolds

• Petunias

• Hibiscus

• Lemon verbena

• Impatiens

• Zinnias

• Bee balm

• Catmint

• Phlox

• Coneflowers

Some of these, such as lemon verbena and catmint, are herbs that can be harvested for teas, tinctures, or aromatics. Others are ornamental and provide pops of color, while also helping bees do what they do best. You don’t need a green thumb to plant bee-friendly plants, and some, like marigolds, have the bonus of repelling unwanted pests while attracting pollinators. If you’re not the gardening type, consider letting dandelions, violets, and other weeds and wildflowers grow naturally.

Steer Clear of Pesticides

Pesticides are a major factor in the decline of bee populations. Spraying them in your home garden can harm bees and butterflies more than you might realize. Synthetic sprays are toxic to both bees and butterflies, even if you are targeting other pests. The good news is that there are plenty of alternatives out there that don’t include harmful chemicals.

Neem oil is a good all-natural alternative for pest control. It is commonly used in insecticidal soaps for houseplants and can also be applied in outdoor gardens. It’s best used at night or early morning when bees are absent. While it’s generally considered safe for butterflies and bees, it can harm them if the oil gets onto their wings. Therefore, it is recommended that you avoid spraying directly on the petals of pollinator-friendly plants.

If you want an even safer option, consider planting an herb garden. Many herbs, like basil, calendula, mint, dill, thyme, and chives, repel unwanted pests while attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. These herbs, along with marigolds, act as natural pesticides that are completely safe for pollinators. The best part? This can even be done in spaces as small as a balcony. You don’t need a huge backyard to be helpful!

Buy Local Honey and Support Your Beekeepers

Beekeepers play a vital role in the survival of bees, especially now. Supporting their efforts helps them continue raising, caring for, and breeding bees. In exchange, you get delicious honey from bees you’ve likely crossed paths with! Purchasing local honey supports your local bee population, and proceeds are often reinvested in efforts to help the species survive.

Another benefit of buying locally is that honey is free of pesticides and additives. Some mass-produced honey is mixed with sweet fillers to lower the price, but these products lack the health benefits of organic honey. While the price point seems excellent, the product isn’t pure and lacks local honey’s health benefits. Raw, local honey helps ease a sore throat and provides many antibacterial benefits. The best part is you don’t need to own a backyard, balcony, or any outdoor space to support local beekeepers. And if you want to take this a step further, consider buying organic. Organic materials and foods are pesticide-free, which means no bees are harmed in the process.

Create a Safe Haven for Pollinators

If you enjoy DIY projects or are looking for a summer activity, consider building a bee hotel. The Wildlife Trusts has a great tutorial on how to create one that’s easy and low-effort. All you need are a few pieces of wood for the frame, some hollow stems or bamboo, a drill or screwdriver, screws, and a way to hang your finished bee hotel. It provides a safe place for tired bees to land and rest, offering hollow cavities for protection. Some bees may even lay eggs in your bee hotel if you’re lucky!

Not handy with a drill? Don’t worry—you can still provide an easy oasis for tired fliers. Another way to help is to place a shallow dish filled with water and some stones for bees and butterflies to land on safely. Bees and butterflies sometimes land in swimming pools or large puddles while searching for water, which can lead to drowning. Providing a safe place for pollinators to land, drink, and fly away quickly can save their lives.

Get Involved: Educate Yourself and Others

One of the best tools we have is knowledge. Learning about bees, their survival needs, and how to help them is one of the most impactful actions you can take.
Many resources exist, including Pollinator.org and the Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund, which both support endangered bees. These resources are a great way to track bee survival and stay informed about actions you can take to help butterflies and other pollinators.

On a local level, you can connect with wildlife groups specific to your town or city. Nurseries and garden supply stores are often happy to recommend local organizations or beekeepers you can support. Volunteering with a community garden is another excellent way to get involved, providing hands-on experience while helping to save pollinators.

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