Pollinator Week: June 16-22, 2025
It’s a time to celebrate pollinators, during this special Pollinator Week in the middle of Pollinator Month!
The 2025 Pollinator of the Year is the Squash Bee, something we all rely on whenever we eat or use summer squash, winter squash, pumpkins, zucchini, and gourds (aka Cucurbita). Squash Bees are specialists meaning they rely on these particular plants being free of pesticides in order to safely survive and nourish their young.
Squash Bees may be mistaken for honey bees, but they are far better at pollinating the above listed plants than any honey bee.
How to help Squash Bees:
- Grow lots of squash and pumpkins (and gourds, and other related plants)! We still have plenty in stock, grown by our Sister Farm, with NO pesticides.
- When you grow your squash and pumpkins, avoid the use of pesticides, especially near the flowers.
- Avoid tilling where you plant your squash and pumpkins. Squash bees love to start their families underground, right next to those plants.
- Just for fun: take pictures of them (or any insect pollinating your squash and pumpkins) and post them on iNaturalist.
More Information:
- NCSU also has a great write up on Squash Bees
- Good short video on Squash Bees
- Interesting short video on how to tell the difference between Honey Bees and Squash Bees