Ohio Pollination Home

Pollination and Pollinators

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” -Harold Thurman Whitman

There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance." -Henry David Thoreau

Honeybees and pollination are in the news and rightly so. With the demise of many honey bee colonies across the United States from Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), and other factors, there are issues before Congress to cut funding to research, laboratories, and more. If you are concerned about these cuts, please contact your representatives. Thanks.

     Diversity is important. Honey bees are incredible pollinators and always will be. Unfortunately, relying on one source of pollination is similar to mono crop agriculture. When afflicted by problems, a total loss can be realized. Diversifying your pollination needs is a smart thing to do.
    Adding horn-faced bees and bumblebees to your pollination repertoire can only enhance your fruit production. In Ohio, horn-faced bees are active from about crocus bloom until late May and are ideal for fruit trees. They actively work all fruit trees but seem to have a special affinity to cherries.
    Supplementing the native population of bumblebees can increase pollination success. Both the horn-faced bees and bumblebees have a tendency to fly and forage in cooler, more inclement weather than honeybees and that's important if the fruit bloom is on.
     See the links to the left for more information. I will do small-scale honeybee pollination (apples, cukes, melons, berries, pumpkins, etc) in the immediate area of Lancaster as my colonies allow. Please call well ahead of your desired time to make arrangements. Flat rate $50.00/hive. Email: