The Bees in Your Backyard Book: A Guide to North America's Bees

Discover the incredible diversity of bees across the United States and Canada with The Bees in Your Backyard — the most comprehensive and accessible guide to North America’s native bees. This book introduces readers to the roughly 4,000 bee species found in North America, blending engaging scientific detail with practical field identification tips.

Featuring more than 900 full-color photographs, this guide brings bees to life — from those in gardens and city parks to wild species in forests and grasslands. Readers will learn where bees live, how they gather food, their essential roles as pollinators, and even how to attract them to their own backyards.

Written for both amateur naturalists and experienced entomologists, this reference work covers every bee family and genus found in the region, providing detailed descriptions of identification features, distributions, nesting habits, and diets.

Key Features

• Authors: Joseph S. Wilson and Olivia Messinger Carril

• Region Covered: United States and Canada

• Species Covered: ~4,000 native bee species

• Photographs: Over 900 full-color images

• Content Includes:

  • Identification features of all North American bee families and genera

  • Distribution maps and nesting habit details

  • Tips for studying bees and distinguishing similar species

  • A full chapter on how to attract bees to your backyard

  • Insights into bee natural history and ecological importance

• Awards: Winner of the 2017 PROSE Award in Single Volume Reference/Science from the Association of American Publishers

Detailed Description

The Bees in Your Backyard serves as both a field guide and a deep exploration into the world of native bees. With vivid photography and accessible explanations, it helps readers identify, understand, and appreciate the diverse species that pollinate North America’s landscapes. The book also provides practical guidance for supporting local bee populations through habitat creation and native plant selection.

Ideal for backyard observers, gardeners, educators, and researchers, this guide celebrates the beauty and importance of bees while equipping readers with the knowledge to recognize and protect them.

See our full collection of Beekeeping and Nature Books