Wild bees & pollinators

Why wild bees are so important

Wild bees are among the unsung heroes of nature. Often less noticed than honeybees, they nevertheless play a crucial role in our food supply, biodiversity, and the balance of our ecosystems.

Pollination experts

Around 80% of our wild and cultivated plants depend on insect pollination. Wild bees play a key role in this process: many species are even more efficient than honeybees. Some wild bee species pollinate flowers up to ten times more effectively. Without them, there would be significantly less fruit, berries, vegetables, and seeds.

Safeguarding diversity

Over 600 different species of wild bees live in Switzerland. Each species has its own preferences for specific plants. This allows them to contribute to the pollination of plants that honeybees find less attractive. This specialization ensures great diversity in our landscapes.

Supplement to the honeybee

While honeybees live in large colonies, wild bees are mostly solitary. Many of them are specialized to just a few plant species. In this way, they complement the work of honeybees and ensure pollination that would not be possible without them.

Food source for other animals

Wild bees are not only pollinators – their larvae are also an important food source for birds such as tits. Furthermore, their pollination work produces fruits and seeds, which in turn serve as food for many animal species.

Indicators of environmental quality

Wild bees are very sensitive to environmental changes. Their decline is a warning sign: pesticides, monocultures, sealed surfaces, and the loss of wildflowers directly impact their populations.

Threat and need for action

More than half of the wild bee species in Switzerland are endangered. The decline is mainly due to a lack of habitats and food plants.

What we can do

Everyone can support wild bees:

• Create nesting opportunities, e.g. with wild bee houses, open sandy areas or deadwood

• Plant native wildflowers and herbs

• Avoid chemical pesticides

• Even small spaces like balconies or terraces can be used – every flower counts.

Conclusion:
Wild bees are essential for our food supply and biodiversity. By providing them with habitats and food, we make a significant contribution to preserving our ecosystems – right on our doorstep.

• Instructions: How to properly place a wild bee house

• Suitable plants for wild bees in the garden & on the balcony