Step Four: Provide Nesting and Shelter Spaces 

Pollinators need more than flowers – they also require safe, sheltered spaces to rest, nest, and overwinter. Providing a variety of nesting and sheltering options will support different pollinator species, from native bees and butterflies to beetles and moths. Unlike honeybees, which live in hives, most native bees are solitary and nest in the ground or within plant stems. Butterflies, moths, and other beneficial insects also rely on natural debris like leaf litter and dead wood for protection.

Creating a diverse, pollinator-friendly habitat can significantly improve their survival and reproductive success.

For Ground-Nesting Bees (70% of Native Bees)

• Leave Bare Soil: Native ground-nesting bees, like mining bees (Andrena spp.) and sweat bees (Halictidae), require loose, sandy, or well-drained soil for burrowing.
• Skip the Mulch: Keep some areas free of mulch to ensure easy access to the soil.
• Provide Sunny Spots: Many species prefer sunny, south-facing locations with good drainage.

For Stem-Nesting Bees (30% of Native Bees)

• Hollow Stems: Species like small carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.) and mason bees (Osmia spp.) nest in hollow or pithy plant stems.
• Cut Back Perennials: Trim stems of plants like Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.), sunflowers (Helianthus spp.), and raspberries (Rubus spp.) to 8-12 inches in fall. These serve as nesting cavities through winter and spring.
• Leave Standing Stems: Avoid cutting down all stems in the fall – some insects lay eggs inside stems for overwintering.

For Overwintering Insects

• Leave the Leaves: Many butterflies, like mourning cloaks (Nymphalis antiopa) and comma butterflies (Polygonia spp.), overwinter as adults beneath leaf litter. Moth pupae, like those of the Luna moth (Actias luna), may also overwinter in leaves.
• Create Brush Piles: Piles of branches and twigs provide essential winter refuge for various beneficial insects.
• Delay Spring Clean-Up: Wait until late spring (April or May) to clean up leaves and plant debris to ensure overwintering insects emerge safely.

Important Tips for Providing Shelter:

• Leave Dead Wood: Logs, snags, and old tree stumps support beetles, bees, and cavity-nesting wasps.
• Provide Bee Habitat: You can bundle hollow stems like reeds or bamboo or build specialized bee hotels. Ensure they are properly maintained to prevent pests and disease.
• Native Plant Cover: Dense plantings of native grasses and shrubs offer excellent hiding places from predators and harsh weather.

By incorporating these nesting and sheltering features into your pollinator garden, you’ll create a more resilient habitat that supports the full lifecycle of local pollinators.