What’s Buzzing in Your Garden in April
Insects and Bees
April brings a flurry of insects to your garden. Look out for different types of bees, including bumblebees, mining bees, and hoverflies. Butterflies and moths are also making an appearance. Queen wasps are starting to emerge from hibernation, and they’re hungry for garden pests.
Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are waking up from their winter snooze. Help them out by providing meaty food and water. They’ll be busy building up their energy for breeding season.
Birds
Garden birds are busy feeding their young. One baby blue tit needs to eat up to 100 caterpillars a day! Plant native plants like foxglove and hawthorn to attract more natural food for them.
Red Mason Bees
Red mason bees are building their nests now. They use mud to create individual cells for their eggs. You can help them by providing a dish of mud or keeping a patch of ground well-watered.
Tadpoles
Tadpoles are growing fast in April. Frog tadpoles turn brown with gold speckles, while toad tadpoles stay black. Soon, they’ll start developing legs and eventually transform into frogs.
Queen Wasps
Queen wasps are busy building nests and laying eggs. They feed their young caterpillars, aphids, and other garden pests. Wasps actually help your plants by eating these pests.
Tips for Helping Garden Wildlife
- Break bad habits like using pesticides and herbicides.
- Plant a variety of native plants to attract insects and birds.
- Create a hedgehog-friendly garden with dense undergrowth and compost heaps.
- Put out food and water for emerging hedgehogs.
- Provide a bee hotel for red mason bees.
- Create a wildlife pond for tadpoles and other aquatic creatures.
