Daily gardening tip · Southern hemisphere · Tuesday 25 August 2026 · late winter
Creating a winter shelter pile for beneficial bugs
Leaving a small, deliberate pile of garden debris gives helpful insects a safe place to shelter from the remaining winter cold.
15 minuteseasywildlife
Choose a quiet, out-of-the-way corner of your garden that will not be disturbed.
Gather small fallen branches, twigs, and bark from your lawn or paths.
Pile the twigs loosely in your chosen spot to create small cavities and hollows.
Scatter a loose layer of dry leaves over the top of the pile for insulation.
Leave the pile untouched until spring is well underway and the weather warms up.
Why it works
Beneficial insects like ladybugs, predatory beetles, and lacewings need shelter from late winter frosts and cold winds. Providing a loose pile of natural wood and leaves mimics their natural forest habitat, keeping them safe and nearby so they can help control pests in your spring garden.
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