Bees and wasps and pollinators, oh my! beginning to prepare for winter months

As summer begins to wind down, pollinators are preparing for colder temperatures.

South Dakota State University Extension Urban Entomology Field Specialist Dr. Amanda Bachmann says there’s more bee activity.

Many people tend to panic when they see a wasp, but Bachmann says they are pollinators, too.

In the spring, Bachmann says be vigilant about where wasps might be building a nest.

Along with being a pollinator, Bachmann says wasps prey on pesky insects in your garden.

Bachmann says planting fall flowers provides a food supply for pollinators like bees, wasps and butterflies as they go about preparing for the winter months. She says one source of information for people with questions is the SDSU Extension Garden Hotline. The free service connects local gardeners with experts who offer research-based advice on lawn care, plant diseases, insect pests, trees and weed identification.

Open seasonally:

• Pierre Regional Center: Call 605-773-8129 or Email sdsu.gardenscentral@sdstate.edu

• Aberdeen Regional Center: Call 605-626-2876 or Email sdsu.gardensnorth@sdstate.edu

• Rapid City Regional Center: Call 605-394-6814 or Email sdsu.gardenswest@sdstate.edu

Open year-round:

• Brookings open year-round: Call 605-690-9447 or Email sdsu.gardenseast@sdstate.edu

• Online (South Dakota only) by filling out the form on the SDSU Extension Problems and Solutions page, https://extension.sdstate.edu/garden-yard/problems-and-solutions