Insect Week 2025 runs from 23rd to 29th June, offering a perfect opportunity to appreciate the vital roles insects play in our ecosystems. While bees often take the spotlight, many other insects—like hoverflies, ladybirds, butterflies, and beetles—are essential for pollination, pest control, and maintaining biodiversity.
Insects are crucial for:
Pollination: Bees, butterflies, and hoverflies help fertilize plants, leading to fruit and seed production.
Pest Control: Ladybirds and lacewings feed on aphids and other harmful pests.
Decomposition: Beetles and other detritivores break down organic matter, enriching the soil.
Food Source: Insects serve as a primary food source for birds, bats, and other wildlife.
1. Plant a Diverse Range of Flowers
Incorporate a variety of native plants that bloom at different times to provide continuous nectar and pollen sources. Consider plants like:
Buddleia (butterfly bush)
Lavandula (lavender)
Achillea millefolium (yarrow)
Foeniculum vulgare (fennel)
Allium schoenoprasum (chives)
Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary)
These plants attract a range of pollinators and beneficial insects.
2. Provide Water Sources
Place shallow dishes filled with water and add pebbles or corks for insects to land on safely. This is especially important during dry periods.
3. Create Shelters and Habitats
Not all insects live in hives or colonies. Some, like solitary bees and beetles, need places to nest and overwinter. You can:
Build insect hotels using bamboo canes, drilled wood blocks, or bundles of twigs.
Leave areas of your garden undisturbed with piles of logs, stones, or leaf litter.
Allow a section of your lawn to grow wild, providing habitat for various insects
4. Avoid Chemical Pesticides
Chemical pesticides can harm beneficial insects. Opt for natural pest control methods, such as:
Introducing predatory insects like ladybirds to control aphids.
Using neem oil or garlic sprays as deterrents.
Practicing companion planting to repel pests.
5. Compost and Mulch
Composting not only recycles garden waste but also creates a habitat for decomposer insects. Mulching with organic materials can provide shelter and food for ground-dwelling insects.
6. Install a Small Pond
Even a small water feature can attract aquatic insects like dragonflies and provide a water source for others. Ensure there’s a shallow area or sloped sides for easy access.
Hoverflies: Excellent pollinators; their larvae consume aphids.
Ladybirds: Feed on aphids and other soft-bodied pests.
Lacewings: Their larvae are voracious predators of aphids and mites.
Ground Beetles: Consume slugs, snails, and other garden pests.
Parasitic Wasps: Lay eggs in or on pest insects, controlling their populations.
By making your garden a haven for insects, you’re contributing to biodiversity and the health of our planet. Let’s celebrate Insect Week 2025 by giving these essential creatures the support they deserve.
Posted 3rd Jun 4:26pm
