Bee-hotels and bug boxes are great additions to a wildlife garden says Sheffield expert

This seems to affect pollinating insects like bees especially, which is bad news for humans as these creatures deliver billions of pounds worth of ‘ecosystem services’ vital for food production.

This may feel like a problem that is way beyond us as individuals in terms of doing much to help.

However, if you own a garden or perhaps are involved in a community garden then there is plenty you can do, and quite easily.

This week’s picture from Peter Wolstenholme shows a ‘bee hotel’ in his urban back-garden.

This has proved incredibly popular and especially with leaf-cutter bees with at least 11 in residence.

Other insects will also use these purpose-built sites for nesting and for winter hibernation too.

Plenty of shops stock these at low prices now, but they are also very easy to make if you prefer that.

This is all part of a strategy to rewild our gardens and makes a real difference to the state of nature.

Just imagine every garden owner doing what Peter does and how that might change things for the better.

Prof Ian D. Rotherham, a researcher, writer and broadcaster on wildlife and environmental issues, is contactable at [email protected]

Follow his Walk on the Wildside blog at ukeconet.org

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