Why Delaying Yard Work Helps Pollinators
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
As the snow melts and spring creeps in, it’s tempting to grab your rake and start cleaning up the yard. But holding off just a little longer can make a big difference for pollinators and other beneficial creatures.
Meet the Native Bees
Native bees are often more effective pollinators than honeybees, working solo to pollinate 2–3 times more efficiently. But unlike honeybees, they don’t live in hives. Most lead solitary lives in underground nests, hollow stems, or piles of leaves and debris.
Sadly, many native bee species are in trouble—facing threats from habitat loss, disease, climate change and improper pesticide use.
What Happens When You Clean Up Too Soon?
Early yard cleanup can unintentionally destroy habitat:
- Stem-nesting bees often overwinter in dead plant stems. Some of these bees won’t emerge until as late as August. If you discard those stems too soon, you might toss the bees out with them.
- Soil-nesting bees like bumblebee queens overwinter underground. These bees are usually safe unless you’re digging or turning over the soil.
- Other beneficial insects such as butterflies, beetles, and spiders rely on leaf litter for winter shelter. Raking too early can expose them to cold or predators.
- Learn more in this blog from the Xerces Society
When Is It Safe to Start Cleaning?
Pollinators don’t all emerge at once. While some sources suggest waiting until temperatures are consistently above 10°C, this is more of a rule of thumb than a science-backed threshold. A better indicator? Wait until you start seeing pollinators like bees and butterflies moving around – or even better, leave things wild a little longer.
Typically, pollinator emergence begins in late April or early May, and can continue through June into early July, depending on the weather. During this time, many native bees and other beneficial insects are still hibernating in your yard, taking shelter in leaves, dead wood, and plant stems.
Cleaning up too early may inadvertently destroy or disturb these overwintering habitats—so a little patience goes a long way.
Don’t Want a Messy Yard? Try This
If you prefer a tidy yard, there are ways to balance neatness with nature. The key is to leave specific areas a little wild. Here are some ideas:
- Create a habitat pile: Rake leaves and plant debris into a single corner of your yard in the fall. This gives overwintering pollinators a safe place to emerge in spring.
- Leave hollow stems: Wait to cut them until summer if possible or check carefully for signs of bee activity before discarding them.
- Add paving stones: Ground-nesting bees often use the bare soil beneath them as shelter.
- Incorporate native plants: They’re the best food source for native bees and other pollinators.
For native plant recommendations, visit the Alberta Native Plant Council.
To avoid introducing invasive species, consult the Alberta Invasive Species Council.
By leaving even a portion of your yard undisturbed, you’ll be providing valuable habitat while still enjoying a well-kept garden space.
The Big Picture: Mimic Mother Nature
Want the best results? Mimic the wild:
- Leave dead wood, twigs, and leaf litter (even just in certain areas)
- Maintain small areas of bare soil
- Plant diverse, native flowers that bloom across seasons
These simple steps help not just bees, but entire ecosystems thrive in your backyard.
Bee Hotels: Helpful or Harmful?
Bee hotels can support some solitary bees—but only if maintained properly. Dirty or overcrowded hotels can spread disease. Always follow expert guidance and clean them regularly.
For safe DIY bee hotel instructions, visit the Alberta Native Bee Council’s website.
Let the Bees Wake Up in Peace
By holding off on the raking or by designing your yard to support pollinators year-round, you are creating a haven for the buzzing helpers that keep our gardens blooming.
When summer arrives, and your flowers are alive with color and movement, you will be glad you let nature do its thing.
For local resources and tips from local bee-loving gardeners, turn to the Alberta Native Bee Council.
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Agriculture