Insect Conservation
Insects are at the highest risk of extinction in the UK, with many species declining sharply due to intensive agriculture, chemical use, and the loss of natural habitats. These small creatures are essential to the health of our ecosystems, and their disappearance has serious consequences for wildlife, food production, and the environment.
Why Insects Matter
Ecosystems rely on insects for a huge range of natural processes. Changes in insect numbers and diversity are key indicators of pollution, environmental change, and overall ecosystem health.
Pollination
Insects pollinate many of the plants that produce our food. Without them, a large portion of our fruit, vegetables, and seeds would disappear.
Decomposition
Insects break down organic matter, helping to create healthy, fertile soil that supports plant growth.
Food Cycles
Birds, fish, amphibians, and mammals rely on insects as a major food source. When insects decline, other wildlife becomes endangered too.
Things You Can Do to Help Insects
Get to Know Your Local Insects
Understanding the species around us helps us protect them. Join a bug walk, dragonfly walk, or explore beginner guides to flies and other invertebrates.
Increase Awareness
Insects are often misunderstood or seen as pests, but they are vital to most food chains. Raising awareness helps shift attitudes and encourages conservation.
Create Insect-Friendly Habitats
Schools across the county have been provided with long-lasting eco insect bricks. At home, you can create or buy an insect hotel, build a simple wood pile, or leave wild corners in your garden.
Use Fewer Chemicals
Pesticides harm far more than the pests they target. Choose natural pest control methods to protect beneficial insects.
Restore and Increase Habitats
Many insects travel by moving from one food source to the next. Insect-friendly gardens create stepping stones across the landscape, forming vital ‘insect pathways’. Learn more about connected insect habitats through BugLife and their B-Lines initiative.
How to Build a Bug Hotel
A bug hotel provides shelter, nesting sites, and overwintering spaces for a wide range of insects including solitary bees, ladybirds, lacewings, beetles, and woodlice.
Materials You Can Use
- Hollow stems (bamboo, reeds)
- Logs with drilled holes
- Dry leaves and straw
- Pine cones
- Bark and twigs
- Bricks with holes
- Old tiles or roof slates
Aim for a mix of materials to attract different species.
Step-by-Step Guide
Choose a Location
Pick a sheltered spot, ideally in partial sun. South or southeast-facing is perfect for solitary bees.
Build a Frame
Use untreated wood to create a simple box or stack old pallets to form a multi-level structure.
Fill the Compartments
Pack each section with different natural materials:
- Bamboo canes for solitary bees
- Logs with drilled holes (8–10 mm wide)
- Straw and leaves for beetles and woodlice
- Pine cones for lacewings
Add a Roof
Use tiles, slates, or a piece of wood to keep the hotel dry.
Leave It Undisturbed
Once built, let nature take over. Avoid moving or cleaning the hotel, especially in winter when insects are hibernating.
A Small Action with Big Impact
By creating insect-friendly spaces and reducing chemical use, every household in Walkern can help reverse insect decline. Together, we can build a thriving network of habitats that supports insects—and the many species that depend on them.