Autumn is here and Winter is fast approaching – so how do we protect and care for our garden wildlife during these cold and wet months?
There are several things you can do, and these include:
1. Provide food: Wildlife may struggle to find food during the colder months, so consider putting out bird feeders filled with seeds, nuts, and suet balls. You can also leave out fruit for birds and hedgehogs.
2. Provide water: Make sure there is a fresh water source available for wildlife to drink from. Consider putting out a shallow dish of water or investing in a birdbath heater to prevent it from freezing.
3. Create shelter: Provide shelter for wildlife by leaving areas of your garden untidy, such as leaving leaf piles or log piles. These can provide shelter for insects, small mammals, and amphibians.
4. Leave out nest boxes: Put up nest boxes for birds and bats to use as shelter during the colder months. Make sure they are securely attached to a tree or wall and are facing the right direction.
5. Avoid using chemicals: Try to avoid using pesticides and chemicals in your garden as they can be harmful to wildlife. Instead, opt for natural pest control methods or encourage natural predators like birds and hedgehogs.
6. Be mindful of wildlife when gardening: Be careful when tidying up your garden in autumn and winter, as many creatures may be hibernating or seeking shelter in leaf piles or undergrowth. Strimmers in particular can be dangerous to hedgehogs. Be especially mindful of hedgehogs before lighting bonfires as they may well have taken residence in the pile.
During the winter, the larvae and pupae of insects can be found in various locations where they are sheltered and protected from the cold temperatures.
Here are some common places where you may find insect larvae and pupae during the winter months so you can be mindful when tidying up your garden.
Many insect larvae and pupae burrow into the soil to overwinter. They may dig down into the soil to find protection from the freezing temperatures and predators. So now might be a good time to lay mulch – which will protect them and your plants.
Insects such as beetles, butterflies, and moths may overwinter as larvae or pupae in leaf litter on the ground. Fallen leaves provide insulation and shelter for these insects during the colder months – so resist the urge to get rid of all the leaves and leave an area as a ‘nursery’ for the next generation.
Insects like beetles and wood-boring insects may seek refuge in wood piles during the winter. The decaying wood provides a warm and protected environment for them to hibernate in.
Some insects lay their eggs on plant stems or branches, where the larvae can overwinter and emerge in the spring. Checking the stems and branches of plants can reveal hidden insect larvae and pupae. Therefore, don’t be in a hurry to remove dead plants – they may be harbouring next year’s insects.
Insect larvae and pupae may also be found in compost heaps, where they can feed on organic matter and stay relatively warm during the winter months.
By leaving these areas undisturbed in your garden during the winter, you can provide important overwintering sites for insect larvae and pupae, helping to support biodiversity and the ecosystem in your garden.
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