How do I attract good bugs in the garden?

How do I attract good bugs in the garden?

Creating a haven for beneficial insects in your UK garden is a fantastic way to promote a healthy ecosystem and even improve pollination and pest control! Here are some tips to attract these "good bugs":

Planting Power:

• Food and Shelter: Provide a variety of flowering plants throughout the season to offer a continuous buffet for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. Include native UK wildflowers like foxgloves, primroses, and knapweed alongside herbs like lavender, chives, and borage.

• Diversity is Key: Do not just focus on flowers! Plant a mix of flowering shrubs, trees, and perennials to provide shelter and overwintering sites for beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and earwigs. Think about planting native hedgerows as borders, offering both food and shelter.

Habitat Haven:

• Let it Loose a Bit: While a tidy garden has its charm, a bit of organized "mess" can be beneficial. Leave some areas with fallen leaves and dead plant stems to provide overwintering habitat for ladybugs and other beneficial insects.

• Bug Hotels: Create or purchase a bug hotel specifically designed to attract beneficial insects. These often have sections filled with wood shavings, hollow stems, and other materials that provide nesting sites for ladybirds, lacewings, and solitary bees.

• Water Feature: A small pond or water feature attracts dragonflies, damselflies, and frogs, all which prey on unwanted insects in your garden. Even a shallow dish filled with clean water can be enough.

Be Chemical Cautious:

• Limit Pesticides: Avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides as they kill both beneficial and harmful insects. Opt for targeted solutions if necessary and use them sparingly.

Bonus Tip:

• South-facing Sunny Spots: Plant nectar-rich flowers and herbs in south-facing sunny spots to maximize their attractiveness to pollinators who thrive in warmth.

By incorporating these tips into your UK garden, you will be well on your way to attracting a thriving population of beneficial insects that will help keep your garden healthy and vibrant.