Although you may find yourself irritated by the abundance of critters the milder climate attracts to your garden,
slugs
,
chafer grubs
, and other ‘pests’ included), most of our lawns would thrive with additional, rather than reduced, biodiversity.
The UK bird population
has almost halved
Over the last 50 years. Wildlife in general has changed.
is desperately struggling
at the moment.
The good news for the diligent gardener is that they have access to an easy solution. Simply place a
washing-up bowl
in your garden, participating in
“no-mow May”
, and even
maintaining a small dish of water
out can all help.
Yet, even the most laid-back gardener finds it worthwhile to promote biodiversity such as
hedgehogs
and
slow worms
on their lawn; they serve as a natural deterrent for pests.
And according to the
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
Placing sticks near water features in your garden can also attract a natural mosquito predator.
Dragonflies eat mosquitoes
Jon Saeed, who serves as the managing director,
Lighting Legends
, informed HuffPost UK that “humid conditions during pleasant summer nights can lead to an increase in mosquito activity as they flourish in moist habitats.”
Mosquitoes are
at their bite-iest
From roughly May through September.
Saeed mentioned that attracting birds, bats, and dragonflies to your yard can help reduce mosquito populations since these creatures feed on them.
The Woodland Trust
mentioned that they also eat midges and flies.
If your aim is to attract more dragonflies (and damselflies!) to your garden,
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
recommends positioning several twigs around your pond or other stagnant water bodies, which are typical breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
That’s because they mentioned, “Dragonflies and damselflies enjoy perching greatly! You can provide ideal resting places by positioning sticks or plant stalks close to your pond.”
The Trust added:
They will utilize these natural vantage points to search for food or to locate a partner.
That is certainly not the only approach.
Introducing stones into your pond enables the flies to bask in the sun, an activity that attracts dragonflies and damselflies.
Embracing wildflowers, steering clear of chemical pesticides such as slug repellents, and offering partial shade can also be effective strategies.
Number one
on their list
, however, offered a “mini-pond” – one of the most beneficial actions for aiding troubled wildlife, something that can be easily created with a
simple washing-up bowl
.
