There
are nearly 1 million different species of insect known on Earth with
many more thought to exist unidentified deep in a variety of different
habitats. Insects provide vital food for animals such as birds, reptiles
and small mammals along with being pollinators of flowering plants that
give us fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and grains.Insects really
are the backbone for life on Earth as we know it, however in recent
years we have seen a drastic decline in population numbers all over the
world due to habitat loss and climate change, along with being killed
off in vast numbers by chemical pesticides that our crops are often
sprayed with.
With more than 20,000 different species of insect
found in the UK alone we are able to help them locally, not just by
buying organic produce that does not permit the use of harmful
pesticides in its production, but also by enticing them to our open
areas including parks, nature reserves and even the back garden. Good
maintenance of these areas will also ensure that you are not only
attracting these important little creatures but will also provide them
with a place to breed and thrive.
In your own garden for example,
there are many things that can be easily (and cheaply) done in order to
make it a haven for insects. By introducing a wide variety of flowering
plants will provide food for insects that they will in turn pollinate,
providing you not just with an insect friendly patch but a very
beautiful one too. If you are unsure about what the best plants or seeds
to purchase are many garden centres now stock bee and butterfly
attracting seed mixes, where staff are often very helpful should you
have any questions.
Along with providing them with adequate
sources of food, the habitat itself must be suitable for them so try to
make sure that there are also places for insects to breed. A small
hollow log placed close to flowers will provide somewhere for bees (as
well as woodlice and centipedes underneath) and your rose bushes will be
perfect for hungry ladybirds that keep your beautiful blooms safe from
being munched on by greenfly. Leaving a small patch of the garden wild
and un-weeded is also important, particularly ensuring there is a small
patch of nettles where butterflies lay their eggs.