A pollinator’s paradise.

Native flowering plants create the best sources of food and habitat for many pollinators, not just butterflies. These plants provide natural feeding, breeding, and resting sites for native bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, and even less commonly recognized pollinators like mosquitoes and bats. While most people are familiar with the European honeybee, many don’t realize that Florida is home to more than 300 species of native bees, along with numerous other pollinators essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Mosquitoes, often seen as mere pests, actually play a role in pollination by feeding on nectar, while bats help by consuming insects and pollinating night-blooming plants. Many of these species face threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. However, simple steps can help support them. Leaving some patches of bare ground allows ground-nesting bees to access nesting sites, while planting a variety of native flowering plants ensures that pollinators have a continuous source of nectar and pollen. Creating a pollinator-friendly yard not only enhances Florida’s natural beauty but also helps sustain the essential creatures that support biodiversity, food production, and healthy ecosystems. By making small changes, we can protect these vital species and the roles they play in our environment.