5 ms·
Echoing someone else, I live in the heart of Austin and generally rarely see bees/butterflies, but last year we planted a bunch of native wildflowers in the yar
by mplanchard 4y ago
Echoing someone else, I live in the heart of Austin and generally rarely see bees/butterflies, but last year we planted a bunch of native wildflowers in the yard and we had a) an absolutely beautiful explosion of color, and b) TONS of bees and butterflies hanging out all day in the flowers. So, regardless of where you are, I think it's worth planting some native plants to give the little guys somewhere to hang out.
- h0l0cube 4y agoInsect hotels can also be useful for attracting solitary bees, wasps, and butterflies https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_hotel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_hotel
- Faaak 4y agoHowever, insect hotels should be cleaned (emptied out) periodically or they can harbor viruses/bacteria and contaminate more insects.
- bartislartfast 4y agoplus one for this, I had wildflowers and while the number of bees was disappointing I saw a lot of butterflies. they were in the house every other day over summer. We also planted a mint plant which went to flower, and that was like catnip to them. Anytime you looked out the window there were seven or eight butterflies on this one plant, no flowers free.
- koheripbal 4y agoOne thing I've noticed is that bugs don't hit my windshield while driving anymore. I used to have to stop at the gas station almost daily to clean the bug splatter. That just doesn't happen anymore - and I'm still driving the same car I was 30 years ago. The overall population of insects has plummeted.