Books – Managing Alternative Pollinators
by Eric Mader, Marla Spivak, Elaine Evans
Managing Alternative Pollinators: A Handbook for Beekeepers, Growers, and Conservationists is a publication by the SARE. It is the first full color step-by-step guide for rearing and managing bumblebees, mason bees, leafcutter bees, and other honey bee pollinator alternatives. The Handbook provides in-depth information on nest construction, parasite and disease management, habitat conservation, IPM for beekeepers, and avoiding pesticide poisoning. The Handbook also includes a bibliography and a list of additional resources. Color photos, paperback, 162 pages.
Pollinators are an essential component of all environments. Without pollinators, at least 80 percent of our flowering plants could not reproduce. Despite their importance pollinators are declining in many areas as their habitat is converted to other land uses. The good news is that pollinators can survive, even thrive, in small patches of habitat and we can all contribute to their conservation by following the steps laid out in the Managing Alternative Pollinators.
