How to support insects and other small creatures through the colder months.
Your garden is an ecosystem, a whole world with interdependent layers of life; from micro-organisms in the soil, to insects, arachnids, crustacea, mammals and birds. A neatly mown lawn looks awesome, it’s great for the kids to play on and is low maintenance. However, aside from the pest-resistant grass not much else lives there. An unkempt border or fallow area of your garden will be a haven for all sorts of life. The temptation may be to think that your efforts are a drop in the ocean and barely worth doing but even one insect-friendly garden can act as a stepping stone for a wildlife corridor. Beyond providing a varied habitat, one of the most important things that you can do is careful use of pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals can remain in the environment long after their intended purpose, killing and inhibiting life.
Dirt is teeming with life; it’s like a super-organism. The soil food web is a complex inter-related environment through all its trophic levels; from photosynthesizing producers and herbivores to predators/carnivores and decomposers including bacteria, fungi and protozoa. This hidden world beneath our feet is the foundation of all garden life and shouldn’t be taken for granted. As a beekeeper I research things that could harm my bees. Besides the pests, diseases and conditions that can kill my bees, there are also chemicals that harm them. Some directly kill bees; others interact with other chemicals or air pollution to cause harm. Another effect is on bee development, reducing their ability to navigate and causing reproductive issues.
Zooming out now from a beehive to the whole country, we are fortunate in New Zealand to live in a country of remarkable natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and wide open wild spaces. Compared to many other nations: we are one of only seven countries that meet WHO’s air quality guidelines (thanks to our geographic isolation and relatively low industrial emissions); above average proportion of green spaces with a low population density. We do however rely heavily on our land to feed us and for exports. Agriculture, viticulture, forestry, horticulture, and apiculture are all essential parts of our country’s economy. It would be unrealistic and unreasonable to suggest an outright ban, they are a boon to agriculture and horticulture, saving a lot of time and allowing far more productivity. They should be used judiciously, understanding how they work, their effects and alternatives.
Things to consider to assist life in your garden:
Habitat & Shelter
- Wild areas: Leave part of your garden untamed — meadow flowers, borders, fallen leaves, and under hedges create essential habitat for overwintering insects and other small fauna.
- Ground cover: Avoid weed matting and blanket spraying. These create lifeless terrain; while visually tidy, they can be as ecologically barren as concrete.
- Timing: Leave certain areas undisturbed over winter to support hibernation and breeding cycles.
Chemical Alternatives
Other methods to kill weeds
- Organic Herbicides made from essential oils work by smothering weeds. Their effectiveness may vary but they’re often gentler on beneficial insects and microbes.
- Homemade spray solution using vinegar, lemon juice and/or salt with water; add dishwashing liquid as a surfactant
- Flame weeding, like a blowtorch with a long handle it will rupture plant cells, causing them to wilt and die, useful for driveways, patios, and gardens. Good for annual weeds; perennial weeds may require multiple treatments to deplete their roots.
- Hot water
- Weed eater, strimmer or line trimmer
Other methods to deter pests
- Use targeted trapping,
- Copper strips for slugs and snails
- Coarse sand to deter crawling insects
- Companion planting to deter some pests from vege e.g. the strong smell of marigolds, basil, mint or onions can deter some pests
Water & Food Sources
- Water: Vital year-round — even in winter, shallow sources like birdbaths or damp moss patches can help insects stay hydrated.
- Feeding: Leave certain food sources (e.g., seed heads or rotting fruit) in moderation, but be mindful not to attract unwanted pests.
Even small changes in your garden can ripple outward — supporting pollinators, enriching soil life, and helping stitch together a healthier landscape for all.
Ken Brown is an Apiculture Tutor with Land Based Training. Next season’s class starts in late August; contact: ken@ministryofbees.co.nz 021 0880 1700
