More than 240 species of solitary bees call the UK home, from the hairy-footed flower bee to leaf-cutter and tawny mining bees. These essential pollinators are far more efficient than honeybees – a single red mason bee can match 120 worker honeybees. Yet they are in trouble: the annual decline of flying insects has reached 19% over the past five years, with a 59% drop between 2021 and 2025, according to Buglife’s Bugs Matter survey. Longer-term studies, such as a 2017 German study, show a 75% decline in flying insect biomass over 27 years.
The main drivers are habitat loss and the overuse of chemicals. To help, experts recommend eight simple actions. First, say no to pesticides: reduce chemical use in your garden to protect pollinators. Second, join the Bugs Matter citizen science project by counting insect splats on your car number plate. Download the free app, log your journeys, and submit photos – even zero splats are valuable data.
Create nesting sites for mining bees, which make up 70% of solitary species. They burrow into bare, south-facing, sunny soil. Mix your lawn: keep some short grass for nesting and some long grass for feeding. When mowing, watch for tiny “volcanoes” – piles of earth with a hole – and leave them alone for a few weeks until the bees finish laying eggs.
Delay autumn garden clear-ups. Many cavity-nesting bees use hollow plant stems and stalks. Instead of cutting everything back, leave dead stems at least 30cm tall to preserve nesting habitat. You can also install a bee hotel for species that prefer cavities. Place it in a warm, sheltered spot and avoid disturbing it.
