Eight Essential Steps to Protect Solitary Bees and Reverse Insect Decline
Like many flying insects, solitary bees are essential pollinators facing severe threats from habitat loss and chemical overuse. These remarkable creatures, which include over 240 species in the UK such as the hairy-footed flower bee and tawny mining bee, are loners that play a critical role in ecosystems. Unlike honeybees or bumblebees, solitary bees are messy pollinators, with loose pollen on their bodies making them highly efficient; for instance, a single red mason bee can pollinate as much as 120 worker honeybees. However, they are in decline, with Buglife's surveys showing a 59% drop in flying insects from 2021 to 2025. Here are eight practical ways to support these vital insects and create healthier environments for them.
Why Solitary Bees Need Urgent Help
Solitary bees are not faring well, with data indicating significant declines in insect populations. Buglife's annual Bugs Matter survey reveals an average annual decline of 19% over five years, mirroring longer-term studies like a German report that found a 75% reduction in flying insect biomass over 27 years. This alarming trend underscores the need for immediate action to protect these pollinators, which are crucial for biodiversity and food production.
How You Can Make a Difference
Participate in Citizen Science Surveys
Anyone with access to a car can join the Bugs Matter survey by logging journeys on a free app for Android or iOS. Count insect splats on your number plate and submit photos, even if there are none, to help gather data on insect populations. This initiative runs until September and benefits from widespread participation to improve accuracy.
Create Nesting Sites for Mining Bees
Seventy percent of solitary bees are mining bees that burrow underground in warm, sunny spots. Maintain areas of short grass in your garden for nesting, and watch for "volcanoes"—small piles of earth with holes—indicating active nests. Leave these undisturbed for a few weeks until bees finish laying eggs.
Diversify Your Lawn Management
A mix of short and long grass is ideal: short areas provide nesting sites for mining bees, while longer grass offers feeding opportunities. Avoid over-mowing and be mindful of bee habitats during garden maintenance.
Reduce Garden Clear-Ups
Leave plant stems and stalks in place during autumn, as they serve as homes for cavity-nesting bees. If necessary, cut dead stalks to 30cm to preserve nesting habitats without compromising garden aesthetics.
Build or Buy Bee Hotels
Construct bee hotels using a box at least 16cm deep filled with dry stems like alliums or sunflowers. Place them in sunny, sheltered locations at chest-to-head height. Ensure purchased hotels have holes 2mm to 10mm in diameter and are deep enough. In autumn, store hotels in a dry, cool place to protect occupants from predators.
Plant Bee-Friendly Flora
Grow native flowers that solitary bees prefer, such as field scabious for large scabious mining bees or pulmonaria for hairy-footed flower bees. Even small spaces like window boxes can support bees with crocuses, forget-me-nots, and hellebores. Plan planting to cover spring and autumn, and leave dandelions for early pollen sources.
Conduct Flower-Insect Timed Counts
Join the Pollinator Monitoring Scheme by observing a patch of flowers for 10 minutes and recording insects. Use their app or website for guidance, and contribute data to national databases to monitor pollinator trends.
Eliminate Pesticide Use
Reduce or stop using pesticides, which harm non-target insects like solitary bees. Advocate for community-wide reductions and support campaigns like Buglife's No Insectinction to shift perspectives on pest management. Embracing natural methods can lead to rewarding observations of diverse insect life in your garden.
