02/12/2026
ALERT: Your yard cleanup could wipe out an entire generation of native pollinators! ๐
SHOCKING FACTS:
- 80% of native bees nest in dead plant stems
- One stem can house up to 20 pollinator larvae
- Early cleanup destroys 6 months of bee development
- Native bees are worth $2000 per yard in pollination
What's Really Living in Your "Messy" Yard:
1. Hidden Residents:
- Mason bee cocoons
- Leafcutter bee nests
- Native wasp larvae
- Beneficial predator eggs
2. Critical Areas to Protect:
๐ฟ Hollow plant stems
๐ Leaf litter piles
๐ฑ Standing perennials
๐ธ Seed heads
3. How to Help:
- Wait until May to clean up
- Leave 15" stem heights
- Create brush piles
- Mark pollinator areas
YOUR ACTION PLAN:
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Stop all cleanup until 50ยฐF consistent temps
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Bundle and store cut stems
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Create "pollinator corners"
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Educate your neighbors
REMEMBER:
A messy yard is a thriving ecosystem!