Pollinator: Is It All About the Bees?
First off…what is pollen?
Pollen is the flower’s way of making more flowers. The male part of the flower makes pollen (protein). Bees, beetles and butterflies move from flower to flower scattering the pollen. It is the pollinators who help plants maintain genetic diversity. Pollinators are responsible for assisting the reproduction of over 80% of the world’s flowering plants.
Bees
Since bees have very high energy levels, their needs make them the CHAMPION POLLINATORS! They need pollen and nectar from flowers for survival. Bees prefer flowers that are brightly colored, full of nectar and are sweetly aromatic.
Bees are the most effective and important pollinators. They pollinate both our crops and wild plants, providing us with one-third of the food we eat. They allow wild plants to reproduce and produce the berries, fruits, seeds and other plant foods that form the base of the natural food web. The domesticated honey bee pollinates the vast majority of our agricultural crops.
Beetles
Beetles are the largest group of pollinators. Believe it or not, the ladybug drinks nectar and eats pollen. Beetles prefer flowers with lots of pollen, dull white or green in colour and mild in odor.
Humming Birds
Hummingbirds are the most familiar nectar-feeding birds in North America. Unlike nighttime pollinators such as moths, hummingbirds like flowers that are bright and open during the day. This is when the flowers are awake and have little to no odor. Their diet is 90% nectar.
Moths
Moths are nighttime pollinators who prefer flower clusters or ones shaped like landing pads. They visit flowers in the dark and they are attracted to strong sweet scented nighttime blooming flowers, muted in color.
At Pestcheck, we believe these pollinators are essential to our way of life and we do not provide a pest control service for them. The world’s food supply depends on our pollinators. But…if you have a wasp or hornets nest in your yard, well that’s a different matter all together!
Are you experiencing pest issues in your area? Our expert team at Pestcheck is here to help! Whether you’re in West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Vancouver, Burnaby & New West, Coquitlam & Tri-Cities, or Richmond, we’re ready to provide you with efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly pest control solutions. Don’t let pests ruin your day; [contact us now](link to contact page) to schedule an inspection and start enjoying a pest-free life!
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