Save the Bugs, One Yard at a Time!

Do you remember when every drive seemed to leave your windshield speckled with insects? Today, that happens far less - a visible sign of insect population decline. The main drivers are habitat loss, including too few native plants, and widespread pesticide use. Scott Black, executive director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, calls this “the windshield phenomenon.”

North American bird populations are also falling. Ornithologists estimate that we have lost 25% of its birds over the past 50 years—about 3 billion birds. Habitat loss, window collisions, and feral cats contribute significantly. The decline is most pronounced among insect-eating birds, while populations of non-insect-eaters have actually increased during this same period.

Insects are essential to life on Earth. Pollinators support ecosystems, and insects form the base of many food chains. Bird-lovers know how much birds depend on them, most feed insects to their chicks. Among land birds, 96% rely on insects to provide the protein their young need to develop. (research by entomologist Douglas Tallamy). A 2018 study by Narango, Tallamy, and Marra found a direct link between insect prey availability and breeding songbird populations.

Why are insects declining? Key causes include habitat destruction and the loss of native plants, which our native insects rely on. While non-native plants may provide nectar and pollen for generalist insects, they do not support the full range of local insect biodiversity. Because native insects and plants evolved together over thousands of years, many insects are highly specialized and cannot digest the leaves of, or reproduce on, non-native species.

What can one person do to support the insects?

Transform any space, large or small, by adding native flowers, shrubs, and trees—such as goldenrod, asters, or oaks—to your yard or patio. These plants provide the essential pollen and nectar needed. Use the National Wildlife Federation Native Plant Finder to identify the plants in your zip code that support the most native caterpillars, insects, and bees.

Avoid or reduce insecticide and herbicide use. Instead, rely on natural pest control methods, such as companion planting and attracting beneficial insects. The more native plants you grow, the more helpful insects you’ll attract—and in many cases, they can manage pests for you.

Create habitats by leaving hollow stems, fallen branches, and small patches of bare, sunny soil where native solitary bees can nest. Leave some fallen leaves in place so overwintering butterflies and other pollinators have shelter.

Turn off outdoor lights at night or use motion sensors and yellow or red-spectrum bulbs. This helps to  prevent nocturnal insects (ex. moths) from becoming disoriented and exhausted.

As Doug Tallamy says, “Welcome bugs into your yard. You might just save the world.”