Kitchen Garden Forum

It also shows what to include to attract each type of beneficial insect -

http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/08/archite ... /?extend=1

Hi NB,
I suppose it is where you are situated as to what kind of insect shelter you go in for. I consider that I have plenty of available places for insects good and bad. The only sort of shelter I have built was one for Mason Bees and it did attract them but it also attracted Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers who it seems are partial to Mason Bee grubs and made quite a mess of the whole proceedings. I rebuilt the whole thing to exclude the woodpeckers but the bees decided not to take up my offer although the Mason Bees are still on the plot. They have decided to nest through the vent under the floor to my lounge. They are obviously happy to be there and I am happy for them to be there and that is where it will end. The box that I built for them became a home for earwigs so I took it down.
After very careful consideration I have decided to allow nature to look after itself and will not build any more insect houses of any kind.
Because of the lack of rain in the past weeks the 'lawns' have not been cut and are at present awash with white clover, self heal and pimpernel and on Sunday there was about one bumblebee to the flower absolutely hundreds of then. They have all found a place to nest on or near my plot without any help from me.
JB.

I would follow the same line as Johnboy - and as an added bonus avoid the architects' fees

lol, just a bit of news I thjought might amuse, , insects do find their own homes, in places like ponds, the compost heap, the log pile, under decking etc, but a too ordered and tidy garden doesn't help, not advocating paying architects fees, grins. Johnboy excellent advice about watering in the evening.

Hi NB,
Probably the reason why I fair so well with insects is because, of all things I can be accused of, an over orderly plot is decidedly not one of them!
JB.

Some of my vast areas of nettles are currently alive with Peacock caterpillars

Hi Alan,
I too have some areas, maybe not vast, but plentiful of nettles.
Like your nettles there are literally hundreds of Peacock caterpillars on all of the patches. The Great and Blue Tits are feeding very well on them but there are sure to be many that they will miss and in due time hope to see many butterflies. It would appear a very good year for them.
JB.