Insect life has been hit very hard over the past few years, mainly owing to wet conditions in the spring and summer. Most people, if not aware of the full extent of the lack of insect life, will have noticed that there are far fewer butterflies around than in the past few years and have probably also heard that Bees are in decline. Our Honey Bees have been seriously affected by the mite Varroa destructor and you may have heard items in the media about the destructive effect of neonicotinoid pesticides on Bees.

 

During our recent wet and cold summers, Bees have been unable to feed properly. Any malnourished living being will become vulnerable to disease and predators and this may be why the Varroa mite has taken hold so aggressively. There have been reports of similar mites being seen on Bumblebees.

 

We rely on all our hard-working insects (Butterflies, Hoverflies and other smaller flies as well as Bees) to pollinate the plants we use as food and as fodder for farm animals. We can do much to help them while their current living conditions are not as good as usual.

 

All chemical pesticides are detrimental towards the pollinators as well as the target species so we should keep these to an absolute minimum and try natural methods. Good results can be had on many plants by steeping chopped garlic in boiling water for ten minutes, adding cold water and using the mixture in a garden spray can. Barrier methods like mesh and fleece can also be used without denying bees and other pollinators access. Bees will find their way into open ends mesh, and the flowers of runner beans etc. can be pulled through mesh or fleece.

 

Another reason for being careful with pesticides is that birds can be adversely affected when they eat insects and other invertebrates that have ingested these chemicals. Birds will actually eat and feed their young huge amounts of the creatures we regard as pests so we should encourage them into our gardens by providing natural food (not refined foods like white bread), water for drinking and bathing and some thick, preferably thorny, cover. Hawthorn and Pyracantha are good because birds, particularly Thrushes, will enjoy the autumn berries. You may even be lucky enough to be visited by Fieldfares and Redwings – Thrushes that come to us from Eastern Europe during our winter months. The Thrushes also like Rowan Berries and the Rowan is a small, well-shaped tree that will fit into even small gardens.

 

The RSPB, most pet shops and some greengrocers sell natural bird food. My Blackbirds Robins and Dunnocks really enjoy the dried mealworms I get from the RSPB and my local pet shop. I usually soak them in water for a few minutes but they will be taken dry as well. Live mealworms can also be purchased. For our bees and other pollinators, we can grow nectar-rich flowers. Bees are not particularly selective but they do like Crocuses, Grape hyacinths, Wild cherry other Cherries and Apple blossoms, Foxglove and Snapdragon.