Look after the little ones!

Your Challenge

Help boost biodiversity by making your garden, balcony or other outside space a bug-friendly haven:

Create a snack-bar for insects, birds and other wildlife, by scattering wildflower seeds that are native to the UK.
Leave a patch of grass to grow long and resist the urge to cut it!
Create a log pile of old wood found in your garden. Be careful with this one as it can be harmful (and even illegal) to move wood from woodlands to your garden.
Leave strips of bare ground – many bees and other species make their nests in the ground so having spots of bare ground helps provide habitat options for them.
Build an insect shelter by drilling holes in logs for bees – provide a variety of different sized holes ranging from 2-10mm (diameter) to help different species.

Or make an insect hotel. Variety is key, so try using different materials including old bricks, pine cones, bamboo canes, twigs, etc. If you install an insect hotel, remember to store it somewhere dry over the winter (to prevent wood rot and fungus which could harm bees), and also clean the tubes in early spring so they’re free of parasites.

Why you're doing this

Globally, 40% of insect species are at risk of extinction ^[1]as a result of habitat loss, climate change, pesticide use and invasive species. As land continues to be converted to make way for houses, roads, towns and even driveways, it’s vital we nurture nature where we can by providing habitats.

How you'll make a difference

These simple steps will shelter and encourage beneficial insects such as ladybirds and lacewings as well as solitary bees, hoverflies and butterflies, which all keep plants thriving. By supporting biodiversity, you help improve soil quality, food productivity and species in decline.

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