The importance of pollinators and how to support them

JACKSON, Tenn. — As things heat up across the South, we reached out to one specialist to learn more about some little friends that help with providing nutrients all year long.

Pollinators are the insects that help diversify plants and feed birds and other animals.

However, these small workers are declining at an increased rate due to unavailable land, increased chemical usage, invasive plants, climate change, and parasites.

Bees, butterflies, wasps, and other pollinators help with our economic growth.

Here are some ways to support and preserve pollinators.

“Some pollinators like white flowers some like blue purple. Some like yellow. Some pollinators need really flat flowers, think of a sunflower while other pollinators can access long tubular flowers. So having a diversity colors and shapes will provide for a diversity of pollinators. You also want to make sure that you have floral resources throughout most of the year,” said Rachel Mallinger, Assistant Professor at the University of Florida.

To help these little helpers you can plant foods that they enjoy, provide nesting resources, and lower the usage of pesticides or any form of chemicals.

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