How do you attract bees to pollinate your fruit trees?

Question

Would putting sugar water in hanging containers help?

Do only honey bees pollinate, or do wasps and yellow jackets also pollinate?

Answer 1

Yes wasps, bumblebees, butterflies, and even some flies are pollinators. You don't need to do anything to attract bees. If there are bees within a couple of miles of your trees they will find them. It may be that there are just not any honey bees nearby. Honeybees generally don't fly more than two miles from their hive.

Answer 2

That would do, but it would also attract other kinds of insects too.

I'd recommend honey, carefully dabbed onto the tree.  But once again- insects.

And yes, wasps and hornets do.  But there are other kinds of pollinating insects- Bumble bees, masonry bees, and some ant species too.  AND hummingbirds.  It's just that honey bees are the most effective.

Answer 3

Some people that raise honey bees will rent out their hives for pooination perposes. See if anyone in your area raises honeybees.

Answer 4

There needs to be bees close by. If you check a few local farm/garden centers (Mom and Pop places are the best) they can probably supply you with a list of people in the area that keep bees, and are willing to put a hive in your orchard. Don't worry, honey bees are genital, and a hive is not a big danger if you don't bother it.