Insects are essential for the health of our ecosystems, and we must help them.
Here are 10 things you can do to help:
Create insect-friendly habitats and grow native plants (check out bugs.uconn.edu for a list of pollinator-friendly native plants)
Reduce pesticide and herbicide use
Limit exterior lighting use
Reduce soap run-off from washing vehicles and buildings
Increase awareness and appreciation of insects
Save the stems
Leave the leaves
Provide a safe water source
Leave a small pile of twigs, stems, and leaves in the back corner of your garden.
“Plant” a log from your yard or a neighbor’s yard
The main habitat features used by pollinators and other insects for shelter include stems and branches of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers; leaf litter; bare ground; dead wood; and brush piles. Keeping as many of these features as possible in your landscape (rather than taking them away) will help attract and support a variety of bees and other beneficial insects.
