Resident urges 'No Mow May,' planting bee habitat and chemical caution

John House, 104 Jefferson Street, told the Fort Atkinson City Council during public comment that he supports the city’s proposed No Mow May initiative and urged the city to couple it with pollinator plantings and a warning about herbicide use.

House said he called “Nick Thrill, the president of the Wisconsin Honey Producer Association,” and relayed the association’s caution that dandelions are an early natural nectar source for bees and that chemicals used to kill dandelions can be carried back to the hive and harm colonies. “The dandelions are actually the first natural nectar food source for the bees coming out of their hives in the spring,” he said, and added that “any chemicals applied to kill those dandelions…the bees take it back to the nest and that sometimes will kill the hive.”

House suggested the city use some vacant city‑owned land — he named Clement Park and an undeveloped west‑side subdivision parcel — to plant bee balm and other nectar plants to improve forage. He said he has about three acres of private land devoted to bee habitat and that it takes two to three years for plantings to become effective. He told the council he initially doubted No Mow May but changed his mind after research and conversations with beekeepers.

The council did not take action during the public comment period; city staff and council members did not offer a formal response on policy or signage but received House’s recommendation for consideration.