Bee puns really sting, but friendly lawn care for these hard working pollinators right now is more important than ever. Since today is World Bee Day, we look at bee friendly lawn care and what you can do to avoid harming them.
The importance of Bees
Bees are a massive contributor to our ecosystem and are under a lot of stress with the bee population declining dramatically. Without bees there would be massive problems with pollination as we crucially need them or we would lose most of our natural resources such as most fruits and vegetables. With these essential crops farmers would struggle to grow to provide for us, but most importantly their livestock. It is important to take the right precautions to avoid hurting these hard working pollinators.
Safe Chemicals and how to use them
Turf by itself does not provide food for bees because it does not provide pollen and nectar like flowers would, but overspray of chemicals to treat your lawn or garden can be highly harmful to bees. When caring for your lawn, herbicides and insecticides are usually to remove weeds and pests such as lawn grub. Bees are at great risk due to consuming these chemicals possibly killing them off.
You can reduce the risk of chemicals harmful to bees when treating lawns for grub and weeds by using the right product at the right time. Any spray that lands on weeds such as clover and dandelions will end up in a bee’s digestive system. It is best to remove weeds by mowing before applying any chemicals and not to spray when it’s windy to avoid it drifting onto flowerbeds.
In the case of lawn grubs you can prevent the grubs attacking by using a granule product called Acelepryn GR. The granule formulation offers the same benefits as liquid product. It is the only product currently on the market that provides residual protection against lawn grub for up to 6 months.
Here are some great application tips when treating for lawn grubs: Lawn grubs or dry patches
Attracting Bees to your yard
One of the best ways to support these hard working pollinators is by growing borage and alyssum to attract bees to your garden. There is a massive variety of diverse flowering trees, shrubs you can use to expand and create flower beds in your yard.
Other gardeners may choose to allow a few weed flowers that have pollen such as clover in the turf. But if you decide to remove weeds that are flowering, make sure to be careful to remove the flower so the bees don’t absorb the poisonous nectar as it is lethal.
If you require any further bee friendly lawn tips call our team on (07) 3114 8281. You can also pop in and order in person at our sales office at 1/243 Bradman Street, Acacia Ridge. The office opens Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm and Saturday 7am to 12pm. Our Acacia Ridge office also has a display area where you can kick off your shoes and try out our grasses before you buy.
For more great turf, tips keep an eye on our website and all our social media channels.
