Six Ways Households Can Help Vulnerable Insects Survive Winter

As temperatures continue to drop across the UK, households are being urged to help some of nature’s smallest creatures. 

Ecologists from Arbtech.co.uk have shared six practical ways Britons can help insects seeking shelter to maintain a healthy and balanced ecosystem. Many species rely on sheltered spots to stay warm and protected as they enter hibernation or a dormant state, with winter conditions like cold weather and frost particularly tough. For a healthy ecosystem, it’s essential that insects survive the winter – more insects in spring means more pollination, which supports healthier gardens, crops, and wild plants. And as well as their role in pollination, other important contributions to biodiversity includes decomposing organic matter, and serving as a crucial food source for other animals. Yet despite playing such an important role in the ecosystem, 41% of insects face extinction, making it more important than ever for households to support their survival.

A spokesperson for Arbtech said: “Providing winter shelter in your garden can help prevent the loss of many vulnerable species that are already under pressure from habitat destruction, pesticides, and climate change. Actions like leaving fallen leaves and building a log pile may seem small, but they can make a huge difference and give insects the shelter they need to survive the winter. By taking these small steps, households can play an important role in supporting biodiversity and pollinators, and in turn, contribute to healthier gardens, crops, and wild plants come spring.”

Six ways households can help insects seeking shelter this winter:

Keep natural debris in place

Natural debris in the garden – such as fallen leaves, branches, dead wood, and dead flower stems – all provide insulation and hiding spaces for insects seeking shelter.

Create a wild patch

Allow a small area of your garden to grow wild. Whether it’s a patch of lawn left to grow long or a wildflower area, it creates natural insulation and shelter for overwintering butterflies, moths, and other insects.

Leave perennials standing

This is a good habit to adopt for providing habitat for wildlife as many species overwinter in the hollow stems of dead plants. Wait until late March or early April to cut them back as most insects will have emerged by then. 

Build a log pile

Arrange a pile of logs and fallen branches in a quiet, shady part of your garden. Decaying wood is a haven for insects like beetles, centipedes, woodlice, and other invertebrates. 

Offer natural hiding spots

Various items around your garden can provide shelter for insects, such as upside down plant pots, rocks, bricks, and compost heaps. 

Construct a bug hotel

Items like bricks, wooden boxes, or pallets can be used for the structure and filled with natural materials like dry leaves, twigs, dead grass, and bits of bark. Then simply place the “hotel” in a dry, sheltered part of your garden to create a five-star experience for insect guests.