This past Friday was Endangered Species Day. Did you know that 16% of vertebrate (like birds and bats) pollinators are in danger of extinction? 40% of invertebrate (bees, butterflies, etc.) pollinators are under threat of extinction! In North America, for example, the population of the Eastern Monarch Butterfly has declined by almost 80% in the past ten years!
Did you know that 87% of our food crops rely on pollinators? Any decline in pollinators will affect food availability and food prices. Scientists say the top five contributors to pollinator decline are climate change, habitat loss, pollution, pathogens (diseases), and the use of pesticides.
What Can We Do to Save Our Pollinators?
- We can reduce food waste by making compost piles.
- We can recycle whenever possible and plant more pollinator-friendly plants, especially those native to our area. After all, those plants are what our native pollinators expect to be here.
- We should be VERY cautious about using pesticides.
More About Pesticides
We must educate ourselves about pesticides. Many people don’t realize that a product that kills aphids also kills bees and butterflies. If a spray kills a mosquito, it also kills a pollinator—and if used incorrectly, it could kill a beloved pet or hurt a small child.
Whenever possible, rely on natural remedies. I just wrote a blog last week about natural ways to repel mosquitoes. You can also deal with aphids, mealy bugs or scales naturally.
Remember
We need to remember that in order to have butterflies, we need to let the babies eat! While I don’t want tomato hornworms decimating my tomatoes, a tomato hornworm turns into a hawkmoth—a pollinator! Now, what I do is plant an extra tomato or two and if hornworms show up on my tomatoes, I simply move them to theirs. Black Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars like carrot tops, parsley and dill. I love parsley and dill, so simply plant extra and move those baby butterflies to their plants.
If you do use an organic pesticide, follow the directions to the letter and don’t apply until right about sundown. This gives the bees and butterflies a chance to go home first.
Let’s Try to Save Our Pollinators
Let’s all try to at least do what we can. Mother Nature will thank you!