Precious insects - 5 simple things you can do for them in winter

We still have some time to go till spring, and insects are not much in evidence right now. But there is a lot we can do even during winter to make the world a more insect-friendly place. Here are a few simple but powerful things you can apply as of today.

• Buy local, seasonal and preferably organic products. Organic farmers avoid pesticides and preserve the health of their soils, among other benefits for insects.
• Eat less meat, particularly beef. Beef production uses a staggering 60% of the world's agricultural land and incredible amounts of pesticides. This could be freed up for nature, providing much-needed habitats for insects.
• Don't waste food. We waste one third of all the food produced worldwide. Imagine how much more space there could be for nature if we could cut agricultural production by one third!
  
• Remove or switch off any unnecessary lights in your garden/on your balcony. They disorient insects and make them easy prey.
• Don't use flea treatments for your pet that contain neonicotinoids. These are extremely toxic to insects and end up in our soils and water when your dog jumps into a pond, for example.

Fun fact (even though you might also find this a bit scary): The weight of ants on our planet is similar to the total weight of all humans.

Source: Dave Goulson, Silent Earth - Averting the Insect Apocalypse