June 9, 2025

Creating a Pollinator Paradise: Why Water and Shelter Matter

Pollinators are some of the hardest-working creatures in your garden—buzzing from bloom to bloom, helping plants produce fruits, vegetables, and seeds. But while we often focus on feeding pollinators with nectar-rich flowers, they also need two essentials we sometimes overlook: fresh water and safe shelter.

 

 

Water: A Critical Resource for Pollinators 

Just like us, pollinators need water to survive. Bees, butterflies, birds, and even beneficial insects like ladybugs rely on access to clean, shallow water sources to stay hydrated and cool off during hot summer days. 

Simple Ways to Provide Water in Your Garden 

• Birdbaths: These are a beautiful and functional addition to any garden. Be sure to keep the water clean and fresh, and add some flat stones so bees and butterflies have a safe place to land while they drink. 

• Shallow Dishes with Pebbles: Fill a shallow saucer or plate with pebbles and water—just enough to reach the tops of the stones. This creates the perfect landing pad for thirsty pollinators. 

• Muddy Spots for Butterflies: Did you know some butterflies prefer to drink from damp soil? This behavior, called “puddling,” gives them vital minerals. A small patch of mud kept moist in a sunny area can do the trick. 

• Drippers or Misters: Gentle dripping water or a light mist can attract pollinators while helping keep plants hydrated. 

💡 Tip: Place your water sources near pollinator-friendly flowers and refresh the water daily to prevent mosquito breeding. 

 

Shelter: Safe Spaces for Nesting and Rest 

Beyond water, pollinators need places to live, rest, and raise their young. That’s where pollinator houses and natural habitat elements come in. 

Types of Pollinator Nesting Products 

• Bee Houses: These cozy wooden structures are designed for solitary bees (like mason bees), which are excellent pollinators and completely non-aggressive. Place them in a sunny, sheltered spot about 4-6 feet off the ground. 

• Butterfly Houses: Tall, narrow houses with vertical slits offer refuge to butterflies during rainy or windy days. Install them near nectar plants for the best results. 

• Ladybug Houses: Often filled with twigs or straw, these little homes provide shelter for ladybugs, who help control aphids and other garden pests. 

Create a pollinator home yourself or shop all our “Pollinator Paradise” options!

 

Natural Nesting Options 

• Leave Some Bare Soil: Many native bees nest underground, so leaving a small patch of bare, undisturbed soil can help support them. 

• Let It Be a Little Wild: Dead wood, brush piles, and hollow stems can become natural nesting areas for various pollinators. 

• Be Strategic with Mulch: While thick mulch can deter ground-nesting bees, you don’t need to skip it altogether. Instead, opt for loose, thinner layers—especially around the base of plants where pollinators may nest. Our Restorative Mulch is an excellent option: it’s a blend of bark mulch and compost, making it both pollinator-friendly and great for plant health.

 

A Welcoming Habitat, Year-Round 

Providing water and shelter turns your garden into a true sanctuary for pollinators—offering not just a snack bar, but also a resting place and a safe haven. The more support we offer pollinators, the more they can support us in return by keeping our ecosystems healthy and our gardens thriving. 

🌼 Want to get started? Visit our garden centers for bee houses, butterfly shelters, and pollinator-friendly plants—and don’t forget to refresh your birdbath!