As the snow melts and the ground thaws across Canada, many of us feel the urge to tidy up our yards, rake up last fall’s leaves, cut back dead plant stems, and prepare our gardens for a new season of growth. But before you rev up the lawnmower and grab the rake, there’s something important you should know: early spring yardwork can be harmful to bees and other beneficial insects waking from winter rest.

In our rush to “clean up,” we may be disrupting the very habitats these essential pollinators rely on to survive. And with pollinator populations declining across Canada, it’s time we rethink our approach to spring yard care.

What’s Hiding in the Mess?

Beneath the soggy leaves, hollow stems, and dead grass lies a hidden world. Many species of native bees, butterflies, ladybugs, and other insects spend the winter tucked into these sheltered spaces. In Canada, where temperatures can stay cool well into May, these creatures don’t emerge until consistent warmth returns.

• Native bees, like mason bees and leafcutter bees, often nest in hollow stems or burrow into the soil.

• Butterflies, such as the mourning cloak, overwinter as adults in leaf piles or under bark.

• Ladybugs and lacewings cluster in leaf litter and garden debris to stay insulated from the cold.

Disturbing these materials too early in the season can destroy nests, kill pollinators, and reduce your garden’s natural biodiversity.

When Is It Safe to Clean Up?

Experts recommend waiting until temperatures consistently reach 10°C before performing a full cleanup. This usually means holding off until mid to late May, depending on your region.

A good rule of thumb: If it’s warm enough to garden in a t-shirt, it’s probably warm enough for pollinators to emerge.

What You Can Do Instead

You don’t have to abandon your yard entirely—just clean up with intention. Here are some tips for a pollinator-friendly spring:

1. Leave a “messy corner”
   Designate a section of your yard to stay wild until later in the spring. This can be a lifesaving sanctuary for insects.

2. Avoid mulching too early
   Many native bees nest in the ground. Covering soil too soon can suffocate overwintering bees or block their emergence.

3. Delay cutting stems
   Wait until mid-to-late May to cut back old flower stalks. Even better, leave some hollow stems standing year-round for next season’s nesters.

4. Ditch pesticides
   Avoid chemicals that harm bees, butterflies, and other “good” bugs—especially in early spring when their numbers are vulnerable.