Attracting Wildlife to Your Garden
The first step in attracting beneficial wildlife is to provide a hospitable environment that meets their basic needs: food, water & shelter. Planting a wide range of native plants in your garden means they will thrive in the local climate and attract native animals. Choosing a range of plant varieties will attract lots of different critters with different benefits for your garden.
Caterpillars
- Caterpillars are often deemed garden pests, however, people often forget that they eventually transform into one of our most important pollinators- butterflies. They are also a good food source for birds, shrews and spiders.
- Caterpillars enjoy plants that they can both eat & lay their eggs on like Milkweed & Clover. They also enjoy Dill, Parsley & Thyme if you want to add some herbs to your garden- a win for both your kitchen & the caterpillars.
- Try to avoid using chemical pesticides for the plants you don’t want them to munch on. Instead, try to use an eco-friendly alternative, like a natural repellant. Caterpillars hate the smell of vinegar, lavender, garlic or chilli. If you mix these with water to create a natural repellent spray, it will deter them from the plants you don’t want them eating.
Bees
- Bees are some of the most well-known pollinators and facilitate the reproduction of many flowering plants, fruits and vegetables.
- To help bees forage and extract nectar efficiently, you should plant flowers in clusters or large patches rather than scattered throughout the garden. They will also need a water source for hydration, especially during summer. You can set up a shallow dish filled with water and rocks to provide a natural, safe drinking spot for bees.
- There are a number of different plants that attract bees, you should aim for brightly coloured, strong smelling plants to draw them in. Lavender, Sunflowers and Orange Hawkweed are all beneficial for attracting bees due to their vibrant colours, strong nectar production and stable structure for the insects to land on.
Ladybirds
- Ladybirds are low maintenance beneficial bugs to have in your garden. They feed on aphids, insects, mites & other garden pests, making them a convenient and sustainable form of pest control.
- By preying on pest insects, ladybirds protect plants from damage caused by feeding and infestation, promoting healthier growth and higher yields. They also reduce the need for chemical pesticides and require minimal intervention once they’re established in your garden.
- You should make an environment of dense, cool shrubbery for ladybirds to establish as their habitat. You should also avoid using any chemicals on the garden which can deter them, instead, opt for eco-friendly alternatives like DIY weed killers.
