Celebrate National Pollinator Week with an awareness of bees and other pollinators

By Editor | June 19, 2025 |

By Andrew Holsinger,

Horticulture Educator

National Pollinator Week is June 16-22, and is the perfect time to celebrate the vital role bees, butterflies, moths, and other pollinators play in our ecosystems. These tiny heroes are responsible for pollinating over 75% of flowering plants and nearly 35% of global food crops. By understanding their behaviors and needs, we can all contribute to a healthier environment.

Creating a Pollinator-Friendly World

Pollinators thrive where food sources are abundant and safe. Whether you’re a beekeeper, gardener, or simply a nature lover, there are many ways to support these essential creatures:

ν Beekeepers: Communicate with nearby farmers and pesticide applicators to ensure safe spraying practices. Tools like DriftWatch help identify apiary locations to prevent accidental exposure.

ν Homeowners: Adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices that reduce pesticide use and prioritize pollinator safety.

ν Gardeners: Avoid spraying pesticides when flowers are in full bloom. Opt for early morning or late evening applications when pollinators are less active.

Understanding Bee Behavior

Swarming bees may look intimidating, but they’re usually harmless. Swarms occur when a colony becomes too large and splits to form a new hive. During this time, bees are focused on finding a new home—not on stinging. Keep a respectful distance and avoid loud equipment near swarms or nests.

Preventing Unwanted Nesting

To discourage pollinators from nesting in unwanted areas, remove potential nesting sites and manage hives responsibly. If pesticide use is unavoidable, consider covering or relocating hives to minimize harm.

Further Reading: Explore the World of Pollinators

Expand your knowledge and appreciation of pollinators with these engaging and informative books:

ν Flower Bugs by Angela Moorehouse – A visually appealing guide to Hemiptera and their interactions with flowers.

ν Butterflies of Illinois: A Field Guide by Michael Jeffords, Susan Post, and James Wiker – The go-to butterfly ID book for Illinois.

ν Caterpillars of Eastern North America by David Wagner – A comprehensive guide with photos of all caterpillars.

ν Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America by David Beadle and Seabrooke Leckie – A focused and detailed moth guide.

ν Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America by Eric Eaton and Kenn Kaufman – Easy to use and packed with information.

ν Wasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect by Eric Eaton – A fascinating look at wasps and their ecological roles.

ν The Language of Butterflies by Wendy Williams – A global journey into the science and wonder of butterflies.

ν Honey, I’m Homemade by May Berenbaum – A sweet and educational cookbook celebrating honey across cultures and centuries.

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ν ABOUT EXTENSION: University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state’s land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy. Learn more at extension.illinois.edu.