When using chemical pesticides to control pests, we very often unknowingly destroybeneficial insectsExamples are: bees that pollinate flowers, ladybugs that feed on plant pests, or butterflies with colorful wings, which are simply an additional attraction in the garden. See how to arrange agarden friendly to beneficial insectsand how to promote the existence of these insects in the garden. These few simple tricks will makeattract useful bees to your gardenand colorful butterflies!
Autumn asters, also called marcinkas, are simply besieged by butterflies
We certainly realize thatwithout bees and other pollinators, many plants would not exist at allUnfortunately, in recent years, the number of our winged friends has been steadily declining. Mainly due to the rather intensive use of various chemicals, paradoxically, for plant protection. Such action, however, can easily turn against us over time, as has already been shown by the experience gained in other countries. In some regions of China,all insects on crops were exterminated , resulting in the need for humans to pollinate plants, otherwise they would not yield crops, and would eventually become extinct. What insects do for free, quickly and quite naturally, people take a lot of time and are extremely troublesome and costly. Therefore, sometimes it is worthreflecting on the huge role that insects play
We do not have too much influence on global decisions, but on our own plot, it is a completely different matter.So let's take the opportunity and create agarden friendly to beneficial insectsnot only beautiful butterflies, but also bumblebees or bees, ladybugs and gold-eyed.
For the number of insects useful in our garden are influenced by three elements:
- Correct selection of nectar plants
- Creating a nook for the development of less spectacular stages of the insect (i.e. eggs, caterpillars and larvae)
- Reduction or complete abandonment of chemical plant protection products
Bees are also happy to sit on the flowers of asters
Plants that attract insects
At the beginning, let's considerwhat attracts insects to given flowersContrary to appearances, it is not only a smell, although it is very important. The color of the petals generally plays the first role. Probably we have noticed more than once thatinsects cling to very bright or intense colors And it is so, because they perceive color in the first place. And the easiest way for them to see one that is in contrast to the surrounding greenery. Of course, just like smell, insects perceive color in their own way and according to their own criteria. However, keen observers of nature have long identified plants that are particularly favored by insects and make agarden full of these plants insect-friendly
Many beautiful butterflies eagerly visit the orchard quarters. This dignitary was attracted by blackberry flowers
Based on these observations, it was found thatone of the most visited flowersby butterflies is David's budleja, even called the butterfly bush. It attracts various species of butterflies as well as other insects. Autumn asters (marcinki) are crowded with butterflies, bumblebees and bees. Butterflies are also happy to use the flowers of Echinacea, cornflower, mallow, lyatra, yarrow, yarrow, morning glory, maciejka, fragrant lacquer, rudbeckia, marigold, recesses, catnip, zinnia, lilacs, marinades, geraniums, pimples, mallow, and even raspberries or blackberry.Bees and bumblebees prefer phacelia, hedgehogs, goldenrod, catnip, heliotropes, sage, heather, pimples, bumblebees and ornamental sunflowers.
Of course, the list of nectar plants that allowto create an insect-friendly gardenis much longer, so everyone can compose their own setbeautiful flowers for the garden that insects will also like.
Butterflies are very eager to visit yarrow flowers
For insects, the density of plants in the garden is also important. And no wonder, we also prefer a full plate than one with only a little food. Therefore let us always plant honey plants in large groups.
A wild corner of the garden friendly to insects
"After selecting the most suitable plants, allowingto create an insect-friendly garden , the next important activity will be to find a fragment on the plot, which we will leave in a somewhat wild form.It can be a piece intended for a naturalistic meadow (ready-made seed mixtures that allow you to create flower meadows are available for sale) or we can sow plants of your choice in such a place. When we arrange such a nursery-canteen by ourselves, we can choose such species that are the delicacy of our favorite larvae. However, remember that regardless of the method we choose, with time, other plants will appear there, which will additionally diversify such a mini ecosystem. For this is how nature works if we do not disturb it. "
Blue tit sunbathing on a stone
One of the most important plants valuable for butterfliesis nettle and thistle. These plants are the place of egg laying and feeding of caterpillars of various species of rusalkas (e.g. peacock, tortoiseshell, osetnik, trellis). The dandelion or buckthorn will be an appetizing dish for the lemongrass leaf beetle. White cabbage grows on the cabbage.Fjołek, on the other hand, is the food of dignitaries (e.g. dia, latonia), and fronds love the lanceolate plantain. The caterpillars of the blue tit are gourmets of heather, buckthorn, clover, vetches and geraniums. The beautiful queen page prefers carrots and other umbellate plants. A willow or long-eared willow will also be useful, the leaves of which are liked by many caterpillars, and loosestrife, meadowsweet, peppermint or soapwort, which also belong to their delicacies.
By planting phacelia we will attract bees and bumblebees
" The insects mentioned are, of course, just a few examples of the most common daytime butterflies in Poland. And there is also a large group of night owls, called moths, among which there are real beauties. They also have their own taste preferences, depending on the species. Although one of the most beautiful moths in Poland, the bear is not particularly picky and its larvae feed on various herbaceous plants."
"Such a corner prepared for insects,should not be cared for and fertilized with mineral fertilizers. We use only organic fertilization, occasionally planting compost in small doses. We can also mow such a meadow twice a season (in April and October), which will enable better development of the larvae. But in nature, nobody does it, so such a procedure is not a necessity. And above all, you must not spray the plants growing there with any chemicals!
Spraying should also be limited to the rest of the plot , especially avoiding the proximity of nectar flowers. Such contaminated nectar will poison the insect before it can reproduce. If we have to spray (excluding, of course, the insect meadow), we should do it with ecological preparations or made by hand from appropriate plants. In the case of pest infestation, which we cannot deal with without chemicals, choose selective spraying preparations that, by destroying a given pest, are safe for other insects."
To invite bees to the garden, let&39;s build such an uncomplicated house for them
Do not be too afraid of the invasion of dangerous insects that can spread from our insect meadow throughout the garden. When such a wild corner begins to live its own life, it will surely become home topredatory insects that will take care of the natural biological balanceThe spider will certainly benefit from the excess of midges, while the ladybug will eat aphids with an appetite. Few people also know that the larvae of the delicate gold-eyed larvae are incredible hungry people, and they mainly like aphids, mites or insect eggs. Millipedes, on the other hand, will clean the substrate of rotting plant debris.
Take care of a shelter for insects
But because such a corner on our plot is not completely wild and is not in a forest or a meadow,we have to help these useful insects a little more Mainly you should think about natural shelters, both from heat and cold winter. For this purpose, a small wooden box, loosely filled with leaves or straw, pieces of thick bark, or a wooden old branch, preferably with holes drilled into it, is enough. Golden-eyed, bumblebees and a whole host of other insects will surely gladly take advantage of such an apartment. A few flat stones to bask in will also come in handy. Not without significance for the development of insects, it is alsoclose access to waterIt can be a natural pond or a specially prepared watering container.
A good idea is alsoa house for beneficial insects hanged in a secluded place in the gardenSuch houses can be bought ready-made, and some of them look really nice. When buying, however, it is worth paying attention to the correct execution of such a ready-made house, so that it is not only a decoration, but is actually conducive to the nesting of insects.Properly made houses for beneficial insects , coming from a proven manufacturer, are available in the shop of our guide.To see the offer, click on the image below.
Now you can only wait untilbeautiful and useful insects visit our insect-friendly gardenand settle in it for good. Apart from all the beneficial aspects, this solution has another advantage. Nature lovers can observe the bustling life in this tiny microworld, and having the opportunity to photograph, they will surely take lots of interesting photos. We may be surprised, for example, by how close up the golden-eyed larva is. Unlike the delicate, almost ethereal adult form, the larva resembles an amazing monster. The larvae of beautiful ladybugs have a similar original appearance. However, to see it all closely, you should have a magnifying glass, as the larval figures are usually very small.
Katarzyna Józefowicz
