Winter is deadly for helpful insects but your yard can save them — here's how

1. Keep natural debris in place

Resist the urge to tidy up your yard this winter. Those fallen leaves, branches, dead wood, and dried flower stems that might look messy are actually lifesaving shelters for insects. Natural debris provides crucial insulation and hiding spaces for creatures seeking protection from harsh winter conditions.

A spokesperson for Arbtech explains: "Actions like leaving fallen leaves and building a log pile may seem small, but they can make a huge difference and give insects the shelter they need to survive the winter."

Instead of raking everything into bags, consider leaving at least some debris in corners or under hedges where insects can hunker down safely.

2. Create a wild patch

You don't need to let your entire garden go wild, but dedicating even a small area can make a significant impact. Allow a patch of lawn to grow long or plant a wildflower area that you leave untouched through winter. This creates "natural insulation and shelter for overwintering butterflies, moths, and other insects" that need protection from the elements.

The long grass and plant stems provide perfect hiding spots and help maintain warmer temperatures at ground level where many insects shelter during cold snaps.

3. Leave perennials standing

It might go against your gardening instincts, but leaving dead plant stems standing through winter is one of the best things you can do for insects. Many species overwinter in the hollow stems of perennials, using them as tiny insulated apartments until spring arrives.

Arbtech's spokesperson notes that "providing winter shelter in your garden can help prevent the loss of many vulnerable species that are already under pressure from habitat destruction, pesticides, and climate change."

Wait until late March or early April to cut back your perennials, as most insects will have emerged by then and moved on to their spring activities.

4. Build a log pile

Creating a log pile is easier than it sounds and provides a haven for numerous insect species. Simply arrange fallen branches and logs in a quiet, shady corner of your garden where they won't be disturbed.

"Decaying wood is a haven for insects like beetles, centipedes, woodlice, and other invertebrates" that play crucial roles in your garden's ecosystem. The gaps between logs create protected spaces with stable temperatures, while the decomposing wood itself becomes both shelter and food source for many species.

5. Offer natural hiding spots

Look around your yard for items that can double as insect shelters. Most notably, "upside-down plant pots, rocks, bricks, and compost heaps" all provide excellent hiding spots for insects seeking winter refuge.

These materials create small microclimates underneath where temperatures stay more stable and protection from wind and rain is available.

You probably already have these items lying around, so it's just a matter of positioning them in quiet spots where they can serve as insect sanctuaries through the cold months.

6. Construct a bug hotel

Building a bug hotel sounds complicated, but it's actually a simple DIY project that can have a major impact. Use bricks, wooden boxes, or pallets for the structure, then fill the spaces with natural materials like dry leaves, twigs, dead grass, and bits of bark.

Place your finished hotel in a dry, sheltered part of your yard to create what Arbtech calls "a five-star experience for insect guests." The varied materials and spaces accommodate different insect species, each finding the microhabitat that suits their specific needs.