How each of us can help support bees and bumblebees

With one-third of Irish wild bee species threatened with extinction, local actions are crucial. We can take simple, actionable steps that align with the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan by providing food, shelter, and safety.

1. Create Food Sources (Planting & Gardening):

   
   

• Plant Pollinator-Friendly Flowers: Choose plants that provide both nectar and pollen, such as Purple Toadflax, Knapweed, Crocus, Honesty, Foxgloves and Heathers.

• Focus on Early Spring: Plant spring-flowering bulbs and shrubs to help queen bumblebees emerging from hibernation. Particularly allow the dandelions bloom.

• Maintain Important Habitats: Allow Ivy and Bramble to grow, as they are provide vital food sources for bees in late summer and autumn.

• Choose Pendant Flowers: Raspberry, Fuchsia, and Snowberry are excellent choices because their downward-facing hanging shape protects the nectar from rain.

2. Provide Shelter and Nesting Sites:

   
   

• Reduce Mowing: This encourages native flowers like Dandelions and Clover to return, which are vital for bees.

• Leave Bare Earth: Many bees nest in the ground. Scrape back a small patch of soil in a sunny, south-facing spot to provide a nesting habitat.

• Use Natural Materials: Leave small piles of wood or create a wild, un-manicured corner in your garden for shelter. Then leave it undisturbed.

•    Check out PlanBEE bricks

3. Ensure Safety (Pesticide Free):

   
   

• Stop Spraying: Avoid using any insecticides, fungicides or herbicides in your garden or driveway, as these chemicals are harmful to pollinators.

• Use alternative natural fertilisers such as nettle or comfrey tea.

• Use manual weeding techniques rather than chemical sprays.

4. Get Involved Locally in Castleknock

   
   

• Join/Support Castleknock TidyTowns: we follow a Biodiversity Action Plan.

• Follow other Local Biodiversity Groups: The Riverwood Biodiversity Group (RBG) in Castleknock is very active in creating pollinator-friendly, connected habitats and reducing mowing in local grass verges.

• Participate in Monitoring: Take part in the All-Ireland Bumblebee Monitoring Scheme by walking a fixed route once a month (March-October) to track species, or carry out Flower-Insect Timed (FIT) Counts.