Do bees like stinging nettles?
The dead nettle has bright orange pollen which give the foraging bees an orange stripe on thier heads. This weed is particularly useful to them as that pollen may be in short supply if there are few flowering trees in your area.
How do you stop stinging nettles?
Avoid hot temperatures and scratching, as these can further irritate the area. You can apply cool compresses for relief. You can also try aloe vera and a paste made from baking soda and water. Anything that you put on the skin should be dabbed, not rubbed.
Do bees like white dead nettle?
Easy flower for bees Dead nettles (lamiums) are not the same family as stinging nettles – I guess the related names come from them having similar leaf shapes. They don’t sting, and are superb plants for bees.
Will stinging nettle go away?
Nettle stings can be itchy and you may feel a stinging or burning sensation. This will usually settle down within a few minutes or a few days and you can often treat them yourself.
Which butterflies breed on nettles?
Small tortoiseshell, red admiral and peacock butterflies do all lay their eggs on nettles and the caterpillars therefore eat the leaves, plus comma and painted lady will sometimes use them although they have other preferences – comma prefers hops and painted lady, thistles.
When should you cut down nettles?
Nettles are definitely the best in spring when they are young and tender. I cut them early on as soon as they get 6 or 8-inches tall; this is a perfect spring tonic and delicious, nutritious food. Then I harvest them a second time in late spring–most sources recommend harvesting only the tops which are the most tender.
How do you treat nettle rash?
Treatment
- Wash the area with soap and water as soon as possible to relieve the sting and remove the nettle hairs.
- Local symptoms of pain and itching can be relieved by applying a moistened cloth and/or ice pack to the area.
Do bees like nettle flowers?
Bees like blue, purple, violet and white flowers best, grown in large clumps in a sunny, sheltered spot. They do not like double headed varieties whose nectar and pollen has often been bred out. Wild flowers like dandelions, clover, dead-nettles and alkanet provide welcome food for our urban neighbours.
What is the difference between dead nettle and stinging nettle?
Deadnettle (Lamium spp) is similar in height and appearance to stinging nettles. Deadnettles have smoother leaves and a green stem (white arrow). Stinging nettles leaves (red arrow) have a slightly furry appearance due to the stings.
Are stinging nettles poisonous?
But if you do wish to grow stinging nettle in your garden, plant it in the spring after the last frost….How to Grow Stinging Nettle.
| Botanical Name | Urtica dioica |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 5.0 to 8.0 (acidic to alkaline) |
| Hardiness Zones | 3–10 (USDA) |
| Native Area | Europe and Asia, but now naturalized everywhere |
| Toxicity | Causes severe skin reactions upon contact |
How do I get rid of nettles on my skin?