This week has been National Insect Week – what action could you be taking for insects in your garden? If you have been taking part in 30 Days Wild perhaps some of your remaining acts of wildness could help insects! Insects are so important for a variety of reasons, including pollination, recycling nutrients and to feed other creatures in the food chain.

You could build a home for minibeasts, a box with lots of hidey holes (like bamboo canes and dried leaves) gives them places to breed and hibernate. Or a rockery, log pile or garden trimmings heap will also help provide sources of food and shelter. Just like all other living things insects need water so shallow dishes give bees and other insects somewhere to drink. A pond will attract a whole new range of creatures to the garden as many of the larvae in the pond (or the adults they become) provide food for bats, birds and other animals.

A range of native flowers, which come into bloom throughout the year will also give pollinators a helping hand – and with 41% of insect species facing extinction they definitely need it!

Looking at the bigger picture, supporting companies that are organic, refuse to use chemicals or promote pollinator patches can help insects further afield.

If you haven’t already you can sign up to take Action for Insects with all sorts of ideas on ways to help – www.wildlifetrusts.org/take-action-insects