Wild Pollinator Garden Habitat Creation

Gardens collectively represent a significant area of potential pollinator habitat, and sympathetic management can significantly improve welfare and conservation outcomes for bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other species.

Key Facts

UK domestic gardens cover approximately 400,000 hectares - larger than all National Nature Reserves combined
Over 280 species of wild bee occur in the UK with varying habitat and floral requirements
Garden lawns managed for wildflowers support significantly more invertebrate diversity than close-mown grass
Artificial bee hotels provide solitary bee nesting habitat but quality varies enormously
Ivy provides one of the most important autumn nectar and pollen sources for pollinators

Welfare Considerations

Garden management for pollinators improves welfare by providing reliable food and nesting resources in landscapes where natural habitat has been severely degraded. Individual bees that fail to find sufficient pollen and nectar to provision nest cells produce fewer offspring and may themselves suffer nutritional stress. Gardens with diverse native plants in flower from February to November provide a welfare-supporting season-long food supply. Reducing or eliminating pesticide use removes a significant welfare threat. Providing nesting habitat including bare earth for mining bees, bee hotels for solitary cavity nesters, and dense hedgerows for bumblebees directly supports reproductive welfare.

What You Can Do

Plant native wildflowers with single flowers accessible to a wide range of pollinators
Allow lawn areas to grow and flower for at least part of the year
Leave ivy to flower in autumn as a vital late-season food source
Provide a range of nesting habitats including bee hotels and areas of bare south-facing soil
Eliminate pesticide use from gardens and encourage neighbours to do the same